



V 




I 


I 



■ 






SUNNYSIDE TAD 


BY 

PHILIP VERRILL MIGHELS 

AUTHOR OF v1 

“ BRUVVER JIM’S BABY ” “ DUNNY ” ETC. 


ILLUSTRATED BY 
RACHAEL ROBINSON 



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NEW YORK AND LONDON 

HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS 

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LIBRARY Of CONGRESS 
Two CoDlos Received 

SEP 19 I90f 

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CLASS ^ AXc., Nb 

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COPY D. 



Copyright, 1907, by Harper & Brothers. 


All rights reserved. 
Published September, 1907. 




I DEDICATE THIS STORY WITH MUCH LOVE 
TO 

BESSIE, LUCY, AND ETHEL 

THREE DEAR SISTERS 






\ 


CONTENTS 


CHAP. PAGE 

I. Tad and Diogenes Meet 1 

II. The Lion’s Share op Supper .... 9 

III. When Troubles Hatch from Eggs . . 19 

IV. Diogenes as a Go-between 30 

V. A Few Complications 40 

VI. Bill-board Promises 48 

VII. The Circus Lemonade 54 

VIII. An Elephant’s Way with a Pup ... 68 

IX. Belated Comforts 79 

X. A Friend in Need 85 

XI. Belonging to the Circus 98 

XII. The Horse that Knew a Friend . . . 107 

XIII. A Lemonade Promotion 121 

XIV. A Mayor Gives a Dance 132 

XV. A Solemn and Wonderful Parade . . 141 

XVI. Tad’s Initiation 152 

XVII. Diogenes Hunting for Trouble . . . 163 

XVIII. A Man and a Dog are III 178 

XIX. Tad’s Sacrifice 190 

XX. The Passing of Solon 199 

XXI. Diogenes Rehearses 204 

XXII. Their First Appearance 214 


CONTENTS 


CHAP. PAGE 

XXIII. Bill Makes Overtures 223 

XXIV. The Making of an Artist 232 

XXV. The Ways of Fate 243 

XXVI. The Doghood of a Pup 256 

XXVII. Bill’s Opportunity 268 

XXVIII. Calamity and Tad 275 

XXIX. Disaster’s Fellowships 284 

XXX. Hardships and Philosophies .... 294 

XXXI. The Love of a Boy and His Dog . . 306 

XXXII. The Loyalty of Friends 320 

XXXIII. Content 323 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


** DIOGENES HURLED HIMSELF UPON THE MAS- 
SIVE trunk” 

“the pup ran madly around the three” . 

“ TAD WENT STRAIGHT TOWARDS THE WAITING 

HORSE ” 

“ THE BOY LANDED PLUMP ON TOP OF THE CAB ” 


Frontispiece 
Facing p. 32 

“ 118 

“ 312 


I 



SUNNYSIDE TAD 



SUNNYSIDE TAD 


I 

TAD AND DIOGENES MEET 

OW since we are told that every dog 
must have his day, it certainly fol- 
lows that every little half-grown dog 
should have at least a half a day, or 
something must be wrong. This his- 
tory, therefore, takes its start from 
the afternoon-half of a certain warm, bright 
summer day when Diogenes, a fuzzy little out- 
cast pup, and Tad, a freckled little outcast hoy, 
met and became the best of friends in a manner 
entirely unique. 

At the time of the meeting the pup had not 
been named Diogenes, hut had rather been 
called a pest and a nuisance, while the boy 
had not been called at all, for a matter of sev- 
1 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


eral days. Indeed, he was a lonely, tired little 
chap, for he had been trudging, barefooted, 
hungry and forlorn, across more than twenty 
miles of the country through which the road 
meandered, hoping to find a place to work and 
thereby earn some sort of comfort and a home. 
He was dusty and somewhat discouraged, be- 
ing fatherless, motherless, and friendless; and 
therefore when he limped wearily upon a 
bridge that spanned a deep but slow -moving 
river, he sat down upon the end of a plank and 
leaned against the railing-post to rest. 

He had hardly been there more than fifteen 
minutes when Diogenes, the pup, came down 
towards the river, a hundred yards above, in 
charge of a man. In fact, Diogenes was more 
than merely in charge. He was in a hot and 
stuffy bag, an old musty grain-sack, tied about 
the neck with a rope and clutched in the fist 
of the farmer. And inasmuch as a pup rarely, 
if ever, appreciates the inside dimensions of a 
bag, he was struggling most lustily within the 
horrid place. When that failed to beget re- 
sults, he barked and otherwise begged to get 
out in a manner quite unmistakable. But the 
man had hardened his heart and closed his ears. 
He presently came to the bank of the stream, 
and standing there to look for a good, deep 
2 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


place, suddenly threw the sack — pup and all — 
far out into the silent flood, then turned away 
his eyes and departed abruptly from the scene. 

Down went the sack, with its burden, to the 
bottom of the stream. Portunately, however, 
the farmer had forgotten to place a rock inside 
the bag along with the pup. Up to the sur- 
face came the thoroughly astonished Diogenes, 
much aggrieved and sputtering through the 
meshes of the cloth. He tried to swim, but 
the sack confined his actions. His clumsy paws 
were tangled in his shroud. He yelped, but his 
throat was filled with water, and the current 
rolled him over and over, helplessly. Down 
the tide he floated, in this terrible predicament, 
wildly fighting for his life, but catching his 
claws in the burlap folds and breathing with 
the greatest inconvenience through the weave. 

In this hopeful puppy way he battled 
against his impending fate with all his excited 
strength. Presently he was sinking, however, 
and his muscles were weakening. He could 
certainly remain afloat for quite a time, con- 
fined though he was in the bag, but then — ^the 
sack would smother his efforts till it dragged 
him down to the mud and ooze in the end. 
And he had been such a happy little pup! 

He thrashed affrightedly in his wet cloth 
3 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


prison as it floated towards the spanning bridge, 
but all his effort was in vain. Then he let 
out a sharp, puppy bark, like a call for help, 
as he felt the current twirl him roughly about 
and suck him again beneath the surface. 

It was just at this minute that the tired lit- 
tle traveller, the hoy sitting down on the bridge 
to rest, first beheld that bobbing, animated 
sack. For a moment he stared, for he had 
heard the cry of the drowning pup and abrupt- 
ly knew what was happening and what the 
sack was prisoning in its hold. 

He leaped to his feet, his boyish cry a note 
of honest sympathy. Hot even waiting to 
throw off his cap, he jumped straight down, 
struck the water with a sounding splash, and 
instantly sank. 

But he bobbed up as lightly as a cork, his 
cap gone, the water streaming from his face, 
and, flinging the wet lock of hair from before 
his eyes, found the floating sack just going 
down beyond his grasp. With one active fling, 
he was in pursuit. He caught the uppermost 
fold of the burlap in his strong young hand, 
and attempted to hold it up and swim to the 
shelving hank with only one arm free. 

Under the bridge he was rapidly swept, pow- 
erless to make any headway in the stream. 

4 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


He certainly required both his arms to swim 
in such a tide. Of a sudden he thought of a 
clever thing to do. He caught the sack in his 
teeth. 

Thus freed of the awkward bulk of his bur- 
den, he swam like a frog and presently touched 
the bottom of the shallows. Then dripping, 
gasping, and hatless, but radiant of counte- 
nance, he climbed up the bank, with the sodden 
but enlivened bag wildly wriggling in his arms. 

Do’wn he dropped it eagerly, and down he 
went beside it on his knees. Quickly cutting 
away the rope, he inverted the heavy receptacle 
at once, and out dropped the wet and fuzzy 
pup upon the grass. 

The weakened little scamp fell down, rolled 
over, let out a bark, and, scrambling clumsily 
upon his feet, gave himself a vigorous shake 
that flirted dirty water all over his deliverer, 
after which he sneezed with astonishing might 
and ran away as fast as he could stumble, halt- 
ing flfty feet or more from the spot, where he 
turned about and looked at his latest acquaint- 
ance with doggish suspicion and inquiry. 

On beholding a dripping and barefooted boy, 
instead of a hard-hearted, grown-up man, he 
was thoroughly surprised. He blinked his two 
bright eyes and caught his breath. Then he 
5 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


barked and sneezed, and barked again, as if 
to demand what it meant. 

The boj laughed. Come here, pup,” he 
said, and he threw away the dreaded sack. 

Come here, you young Diogenes. You 
needn^t be afraid of me. Come on.” 

Whether the pup believed in and trusted a 
boy who would plunge in the river to drag him 
out, or whether he was flattered by being thus 
so promptly and importantly christened, the 
fact remains that he gave a funny little start 
and returned half the distance towards his 
savior. Here he halted, wagged his tail ex- 
travagantly, then stood quite still with his head 
on one side and wondered if he dared to trust 
another human being once again. 

The boy got dovm on his knees, sat on his 
heels, and made inviting noises. Diogenes, 
3^ou’re going to be my pup,” he said. Come 
on, and make friends.” He held out his hand 
engagingly. 

Diogenes gave another little start of inde- 
cision, presently coming within five feet of the 
boy, where he once more shook his small fuzzy 
body with violence, flinging yet a few more 
drops of water in his youthful master’s face. 

Tad liked it. He made a lunge to grab the 
pup, but missed by an inch. Diogenes was in- 
6 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


stantly scampering off, then back, then away, 
finally racing in a dizzying circle all about the 
laughing, joyous hoy, who was growing more 
and more eager to hold the tyke close up to his 
heart. 

How a dog so swiftly estimates the quality 
of honesty, kindness, and affection in a human 
association remains as yet unrevealed. Di- 
ogenes himself hardly knew how it happened 
that he was presently lapping so familiarly at 
Tad’s two ears and nose and shins, while 
squirming in and out of the boy’s caressing 
hands; hut he did know very well indeed that 
it felt particularly delightful to be hugged and 
rolled and tickled by a sunny, barefooted 
young master who had a freckle on his honest 
face for every good impulse in his heart. To 
a pup who had never been welcome, never 
been named, and never been loved, it seemed 
like really coming home. 

At length the boy held him up by the two 
forelegs, and they looked each other squarely 
in the face. 

Why did they throw you in the river, 
then?” inquired Tad, with gravity. Why 
did they do it?” 

The pup attempted to lap off a freckle, and 
replied with a funny little growl. He should 

3 7 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


have confessed that he had eaten up much 
more than his worth of hats and shoes and 
stockings, hut he kept his secrets to himself. 

I don’t believe you were very bad, whatever 
was the reason,” resumed the boy. “Anyway, 
your name is Diogenes, and you are my pup, 
even if I haven’t got any home in all the world. 
And I guess we’ll find some place, somewhere, 
and we might as well start, or the sun will soon 
be down.” 

Therefore, it was that after a warm, pro- 
tracted hug and a thorough cementing of their 
friendship, the two trudged away on the dusty 
road, leaving behind them the river in which 
they met. 


II 


THE LION’S SHARE OF SUPPER 

F ever a pup was happier than young 
Diogenes he has never made it 
known. He and his hoy companion 
were not in a very great hurry, as 
they travelled along on the country 
road, and with such a smiling sun 
beams upon them, they were present- 
ly dry and comfortable enough, especially the 
pup. Moreover, the world was new to him, 
and tremendously exciting. 

There were birds in the trees and along on 
the top of the old rail-fence; there were holes 
in the earth, concealed by the grass, where a 
pup could bury his nose and snort alarmingly 
at the occupants below. There were butter- 
flies and darning-needles inhabiting the air, 
not to mention grasshoppers that leaped up 
just in front of a fellow^s nose. In the road 
there was nice soft dust to print with tracks; 
and the pup zigzagged across it, times innu- 
9 



to lay its 



SUNNYSIDE TAD 


merable. Then, lastly, as well as firstly, there 
was always the joyful young master. Tad him- 
self, at whose heels a pup could nip in affec- 
tion, and whose hands were so tirelessly fond- 
ling, and whose eyes were so kind, with the 
purest lights of affection. 

Diogenes was absurdly glad and optimistic. 
He romped enthusiastically in every direction, 
bumping his nose into everything near enough 
to reach, pretending to make important discov- 
eries in the weeds, and trotting crookedly be- 
fore his master in the road, as if he were lead- 
ing the way. Indeed, a more ridiculous little 
dirt-colored, fuzzy-haired, bright-eyed scamp 
than Diogenes could not have been found for 
many a mile about that far Hew Jersey coun- 
try. But he was smart, for Tad himself had so 
decided. 

Conversing with talk and puppy barks or 
growls, the pair traversed a two-mile stretch of 
the road in the course of something more than 
an hour. By then the pup was growing nearly 
as tired as the boy, for his paws were tender 
with youth, and his legs were weakening with 
this unaccustomed employment. He saw the 
sun go down above the trees across a field, and 
sounding a funny little note, half grunt, he 
dropped himself down in the road to take a rest. 

10 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Tad took him up in his arms. 

!N’ow, don’t yon wiggle and squirm to get 
down again,” he said. I think there’s a farm 
pretty close around the bend, for I hear a cow- 
bell somewhere, near, and maybe they’ll give us 
some supper.” 

Diogenes was glad enough to remain almost 
passive in his master’s arms while the boy 
plodded onward another half a mile, where a 
farm-house did actually greet his eager gaze and 
fill his breast with hope. 

The house was somewhat removed from the 
road, down a lane, into which the travellers 
turned. That many large and watchful dogs 
already provided the farmer with all the canine 
complications that a reasonable man could de- 
sire was presently advertised by a chorus of 
barking which arose at Tad’s advance. He was 
not in the least afraid of dogs, however, but he 
rather dreaded human beings. He trudged cour- 
ageously on, being presently surrounded by a 
pack of ill-assorted animals, nearly all old and 
surly, but rendered instantly far more harmless 
than they seemed by the sound of the yongster’s 
voice. 

He merely said, Hello, you fellers,” but 
that was enough. 

Diogenes, for his part, was roused to great 

11 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


activity. He writhed in his master’s hold, and 
whined and yelped and otherwise offered to get 
down and subdue all the canine group now 
sniffing and running about them. He, too, said. 

Hello,” in the language of dogs, to the big, 
grown creatures on the ground; but none of 
them deigned to reply. Then a woman ap- 
peared at the door of the house, a sun-bonnet 
enclosing her head quite as closely as her calico 
dress enclosed her figure. With arms akimbo 
she watched the boy’s approach. 

He was still hatless, having failed to recover 
his cap when dragging the pup from the river, 
and his legs and feet were dusty. With frec- 
kles on his face, and that restless pup on his 
arm, he failed to appeal to the woman favor- 
ably. 

Well, now, sonny, what d’ you want ?” she 
said. 

Tad came closer before attempting to reply. 
Then he halted, with the dogs all sniffing him 
over, and inverting the pup on his arm so that 
his four paws paddled helplessly in the air, he 
cleared his voice to speak. 

Please, ma’m,” he answered, I thought 
perhaps you needed a boy.” 

Well, I don’t,” replied the housewife. 

Where d’ you come from ?” 

12 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Up hy Suiinyside/^ said Tad, stroking 
Diogenes on the stomach to calm his emotions. 

Kun away from home demanded the 
woman. 

^NTo, ma’m. My uncle told me to git ont/’ 
replied the small pilgrim, truthfully. He 
said I wasn’t worth my salt.” 

Ye prob’ly ain’t,” was the cheerful rejoin- 
der. I don’t want no boy, more partic’lar 
one with a pup.” 

Though the road was long, and his whole 
small body wearied to the aching point. Tad 
would have walked another twenty miles rather 
than think of relinquishing Diogenes, now lap- 
ping and gulping at his hand. 

I can pick fruit and git up the cows,” sug- 
gested the boy, whose senses detected the fra- 
grance of supper on the stove. And I can 
chop wood, if it hasn’t got too many knots.” 

There ain’t no fruit gittin’ ripe, and we’ve 
only got two cows, and one of ’em dry,” replied 
the woman. I ain’t goin’ to want no more 
pups, or boys, neither.” 

Well, couldn’t I do some chores for my 
supper ?” Tad inquired. I could give some 
of mine to Diogenes, and we don’t care where 
we sleep.” Beholding an unrelenting look in 
the woman’s eyes, he added, ^^Or if you couldn’t 
13 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


spare so much, maybe you could give a few 
things to the pup — and he’d divide with me.” 

^^Do you call that pup Die-on-your-knees 
demanded the woman. 

Before the hoy could answer, a smooth- 
shaved young man, with a city look upon him, 
appeared at the open window of the house and 
stood gazing out at the group before the door. 
Inasmuch as he said nothing, and Tad desired 
to appear polite, the little chap hesitated a mo- 
ment only, then replied to the housewife’s 
query. 

I don’t call him Die-on-your-knees, no 
ma’m,” he said. His name is Diogenes.” 

Whose — the pup’s ?” interposed the man 
at the window. Pretty good ! How did you 
happen to give him such a name as that ?” 

Tad meditated for a moment on his answer. 
As a matter of fact he had bestowed the name 
out of a love for high-sounding and noble-seem- 
ing appellations. He had always wished to 
have some such possession as this pup to which 
to attach all the splendid glory of these syl- 
lables. However, he had no wish to confess to 
si^ch a reason now. Moreover, it must not be 
supposed that he was ignorant of history. His 
favorite books referred to characters quite as 
great as the ancient philosopher for whom the 
14 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


pup was christened. Looking fairly at the man 
in the window, who was boarding at the farm- 
er's place, and beholding genuine interest in 
the two eyes bent upon him, the boy answered 
with only a momentary falter. 

“ I — named him Diogenes,” said he, “ be- 
cause he was hunting for an honest man, and 
he only found a boy.” 

The city man’s eyes were dancing. The 
farmer’s wife grew more severe. 

And now the two of them beggin’ supper 
and a place to work!” she said, sharply, her 
resentment anything but lessened by Tad’s non- 
understandable reference to honest men, in con- 
nection with a pup. I ain’t lost no such pair 
of tramps!” 

Well, say, Mrs. Snead, give them part of 
my dinner,” suggested the boarder. He rather 
liked the look of both the pup and the boy, and 
he had, besides, a very poor opinion of the din- 
ners afforded by the place. 

Oh, I suppose I’ll have to give ’em sum- 
thin’ to eat,” sputtered the housewife, desiring 
to appear to her best advantage in the presence 
of her boarder. I never yit turned anything 
away hungry, ’ceptin’ twenty tramps last sum- 
mer, and me a poor woman, hard-workin’ and 
honest.” Having addressed this speech to the 
15 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


city-bred man, she turned her gaze again on 
boy and pup. You kin go ’round back and 
git some supper,” she said ; and sleep in the 
haymow, if you ain’t got nuthin’ better.” 

Thank you very much,” said Tad, and with 
the struggling young Diogenes still inverted in 
his arms, he walked to the rear of the house. 

The supper, however, was not immediately 
forthcoming; wherefore Tad and his fuzzy 
little comrade sat by the well, awaiting the 
housewife’s pleasure. When the provender did 
at length arrive it was cold, and none too 
abundant. Nevertheless, it comprised some 
scraps of meat, some chunks of fried potato, a 
slice of unbuttered bread, and two large, un- 
buttered biscuits. It was all on one tin pie- 
plate, and unaccompanied by either knife, fork, 
or spoon. Inasmuch, however, as neither Tad 
nor Diogenes felt any particular loss for lack 
of the customary implements, the whole repast 
was presently stored away where it would be 
certain to be appreciated, the lion’s share go- 
ing to the pup. 

By this time the dusk had gathered upon all 
the world. Down in the meadow, at the farther 
expanse of the farm, the fireflies were flashing 
their bright little signals, like fairy lamps. 
Crickets and other little members of the sweet- 
16 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


ly tuned insect orchestra began an elfin opera. 
Wearied to the last degree, little Tad was fall- 
ing asleep where he sat, Diogenes having al- 
ready dropped the weight of his round little 
stomach to the earth, where he heaved a mighty 
sigh of puppy content and resigned all care of 
the universe to other watchfulness. 

The woman came out for her plate. 

Couldn’t ye see the barn ?” she said. 

Didn’t I say you could sleep in the hay 

Yes, ma’am ; thank you,” murmured the 
boy, sleepily, and taking up his pup he stum- 
bled heavily off to climb a rickety ladder that 
led to the dusty hay-mow up above, in the 
structure dignified by the name of a barn. 

Despite the fact that he was ready to fall 
most limberly dow and give up to drowsiness 
the moment he and Diogenes found the dry bed 
ready at their feet, nevertheless he roused him- 
self sufficiently to prepare for the night as his 
mother had prepared him always, up to the one 
sad week when her final illness had made her 
fond solicitude no longer possible. 

Diogenes,” he said, heavily, we mustn’t 
forget our prayers.” 

'Not without considerable labor, which the 
limberness of the pup necessitated, he stood the 
sleepy Diogenes up on his haunches, held his 
17 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


two front paws together, and bent down the 
small, wet nose upon them. 

He was kneeling in the hay himself, and he 
spoke for them both. 

Dear Friend in Heaven,” he said, please 
bless us now before we go to sleep, and make me 
a good boy and make Diogenes a good pup, and 
bless the farmer’s wife for being so kind, and 
try not forget us if you can help it, and help 
all the poor boys and pups who haven’t got any 
nice place like this to sleep — and say good- 
night for me to my father and mother, for 
Jesus’ sake. Amen.” 

Then with the curled-up puppy lightly held 
to his heart, he sank in the hay and was in- 
stantly lost in the innocent slumber of child- 
hood. 


Ill 


WHEN TROUBLES HATCH FROM EGGS 

' HKOU GHOUT the world it is a 
well-known fact that the dawn gets 
up before the chickens, and a hen 
gets up before a pup, and a pup 
gets up before a boy. Indeed, a 
great many things get up before a 
youngster thinks of stirring, except on Christ- 
mas or the Fourth of July. 

It chanced, therefore, in a perfectly natural 
way, that the day was fairly well started, the 
following morning, when Diogenes opened his 
two bright eyes and looked at the sleeping Tad, 
against whose heart he had lain all the night. 
He immediately gaped, arose, put a paw in the 
boy^s face, lapped at his ear, then at his frec- 
kled nose, trotted across his chest, and told him, 
with a comfortable little growl, that the hour 
for fun to commence was once again at hand. 

Tad, however, was still too profoundly 
asleep, after his long, tiring day of travel and 
19 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


adventure, to appreciate the pup^s information. 
He turned over, boyishly, and continued to 
slumber. The pup walked over his head in 
several directions, chewed at Tad’s half-curly 
hair for a time, then pricked up his ears at a 
sound he heard in the hay, at the end of the 
mow. 

He trotted away on a quest of exploration, 
presently finding himself confronted in a man- 
ner most unexpected. He had almost humped 
against a hen that sat on a nest and stared at 
him savagely. She had arisen even earlier 
than himself, and having come thus early to 
her hidden treasury of eggs, was solemnly med- 
itating the production of another hit of oval 
architecture. Diogenes therefore halted and 
eyed her quizzically, his two bright optics 
aglint with interest. He shook his awkward 
little body clumsily and said G-r-r-r-r !” with 
the utmost good -nature, but the hen made no 
response. Savage as she looked, she was yet 
very much frightened, indeed. 

Diogenes put out a paw and tapped her on 
the eye. She let out a hen’s scream of horror, 
and fiew out of the hay and across the floor so 
abruptly that the pup fell entirely backward 
in his effort to retreat from such a vision. 
Cackling in fear, as well as in affronted dig- 
20 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


iiity, the hen sailed down from the loft at once, 
relating her injuries in extreme agitation as 
she went. Then Diogenes was presently em- 
boldened to step forward, most cautiously, to 
examine the place she had left. 

He beheld a nice, cosey nest in the hay, where- 
in lay many pretty eggs, all white as milk, and 
as warm as the pup^s honest heart. He sniffed 
at one, putting his cold, little nose quite against 
it for the purpose. It moved and rolled over 
in the nest. Diogenes leaped a little back. The 
egg became quiet at once. With his head on 
one side and a paw upraised, the pup reap- 
proached, more suspiciously. Hothing budged. 
He probably intended merely to make the eggs 
flee from the nest, as the hen had done, when he 
tapped one with his paw. But inasmuch as it 
still remained impassive, he struck it harder. 
Then it did something. It broke. 

Diogenes was delighted. All young things 
are delighted to find that things will break. 
He growled and gave a puppy yelp of chal- 
lenge, or perhaps of invitation to come out and 
play, then pounced with all four feet upon the 
huddled eggs, breaking all but two and smear- 
ing paws, hay, and everything about him with 
the colors of a fine Italian sunset. 

He was still unsatisfied, and gulped at the 
21 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


two pretty objects that yet remained unde- 
stroyed, crushing them with the utmost ease. 
Then he waded and paddled in the custard he 
had made. He got it on his countenance as 
well as on his feet, and remembering his 
master, ran to his side in the highest spirits 
to bump his yellowed nose on the boy^s neck 
and cheek, and to pounce upon his face and 
walk in his hair with the sticky paws. Two 
things now happened: Tad awoke, and the 
farmer’s wife came climbing up to the mow 
in search for the nest which she knew the hen 
had hidden in the hay. 

In all the optimism of his friendly nature, 
Diogenes hastened towards his hostess with glad 
tidings of his wakefulness and triumphant ad- 
ventures. Mrs. Snead retreated backward from 
his fond advances and noted the custard with 
which he was besmeared. 

Git out, you dirty little varmint !” she 
said. What in the world — well, if I don’t 
believe that’s eggs all over your face !” 

In another moment she had rounded the 
mow. The yellow devastation was before her 
very eyes, where once had been the nest. Di- 
ogenes was now most earnestly burrowing in 
the hay in search for something new. His 
master, little Tad, having risen from his bed in 
22 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


the corner of the loft, came cheerily forward, 
boyishly pleased to have some one to whom to 
say good-morning. However, he said nothing. 
He had no time. 

You two young egg-eatin’ thieves cried 
the farmer’s wife, in a sudden fit of anger. 

You good - fer - nuthin’ young tramp — with 
your ruination pups — and after me feedin’ 
the pair of you and givin’ you both a decent 
bed!” 

She made and awkward but active sweep 
with her large, bony hand spread out like a 
flail, and battered Diogenes end over end in 
the hay. He landed on his back, rolled prompt- 
ly to his feet, and growling in his funny little 
way, came romping back to what he thought 
was a frolic. But Tad was only too well 
aware that fun was the very last thing to he 
expected. He was not in the least astonished, 
therefore, when the woman made a wild and 
vicious kick at the pup — whom she missed — 
giving a violent wrench to her hip, and another, 
equally violent, to her temper. 

Hine er ten white leghorn eggs 1” she cried, 
as she made still another futile effort to knock 
the brains entirely out of Diogenes — this time 
with her hand. You ornary, disgraceful 
young snakes I was warmin’ into my bosom! 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

Git off my place ! If ever 1 git my hands on 
you — ” 

She meant Diogenes. He was racing about 
her in frantic joy. He had never had a lady 
pay attentions to him so energetically before. 
It was far more sport than frightening hens. 
He threatened to dislocate the hay-mow, wisp 
by wisp, with his antics. 

Tad, who knew a good deal more than the 
pup, had noted the woman’s one indignant gest- 
ure towards the ruined nest. His quick glance 
had encompassed the details of mingled yolks 
and empty shells in the briefest time. Of ex- 
cuses he could think of absolutely none. 

I’m sorry,” he said, watching for his 
chance at the pup. Then he suddenly pounced 
upon Diogenes — ^whom he still fondly loved — 
and quelling the spasm of wriggles and strug- 
gles that instantly ensued, he rose once more to 
his feet and faced his accuser. 

I’m very sorry,” he said again. We’ll 

go.” 

Go !” screamed the housewife. All my 
eggs!” and she made another comprehensive 
swing at the irresponsible offender. 

The blow could not have been avoided. Tad 
merely turned as quickly as possible to shield 
Diogenes, and received a bat upon his head 
24 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


that started him briskly towards the ladder. 
He kept on going. What was the use of argu- 
ment? His ear and his skull were smarting 
hotly, and the pup was gulping and chewing at 
his hands ; but dazed as he was, he soon reached 
the ground and turned his back upon the barn. 

Above, in the loft, the farmer’s wife was still 
in a state of eruption, volleying forth her hot 
denunciations of boys and dogs and thieves and 
tramps who could work such extravagant havoc. 

In the barn-yard two big dogs accosted the 
boy in a challenging manner, but let him pass 
unmolested, ignoring every yelp of salutation 
with which young Diogenes was eager to give 
them greeting. A moment later boy and pup 
were departing, disgraced, up the lane that led 
to the road, both of them hungry, and both once 
again in quest of a home. 

The morning was beautiful, however, and 
young things are never long disheartened. 
When the mischievous Diogenes was placed 
upon his feet in the road he was just about as 
happy as a pup could be. In the grass he 
presently discovered a large, black bug, with 
which he attempted to play. Tad, when he 
came to the spot, found not only the bug, but a 
fine, red cluster of strawberries as well. These 
he plucked and ate. Diogenes watched the 
25 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


process inquiringly, his knowing little head on 
one side, and his two bright eyes most eloquent 
with wonder as to where his share was coming 
from. Yet a sniff was all he cared for, pres- 
ently, after biting the large one that Tad very 
generously offered. 

You are a very bad pup,” said the boy, in 
serious admonishment. You ought to have 
been spanked — breaking all those eggs — and 
you don’t deserve any breakfast, or anything 
else.” 

Thereupon he caught Diogenes, just for long 
enough to give him a hug, exceptionally affec- 
tionate, and proceeded along to the turn of the 
fence. 

Inasmuch as turns are very often fateful, it 
is not at all astounding that the two young 
pilgrims came upon an acquaintance. The 
man with the city-bred air, the one they had 
seen at the farmer’s house on the evening pre- 
vious, was seated on a rock at the edge of the 
road, indolently whittling at a stick. 

Diogenes, having found him first, addressed 
him with a bark. The man looked up quite 
calmly. In fact, he was a very calm person. 

“ Good - morning, my philosophic young 
friend,” he said to the pup. And where is — 
Oh, here’s your companion.” He nodded to 
26 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Tad in a friendly spirit. Hullo/’ he added. 

Where are you striking out for so early in 
the morning 

Tad had halted in the road. He presented 
a sturdy, handsome little figure in his bare- 
legged, bareheaded way, for his honest blue 
eyes were clear and unflinching, his mouth was 
as wholesome as a pretty girl’s, his shoulders 
were broad and courageously square, and his 
limbs were straight and plump. He met the 
man’s keen scrutiny unabashed. 

Good-morning,” he said. I don’t know 
where we’re going — ^we’re going along the road 
till we find a place where they want a boy.” 

And a dog ?” the boarder queried. 

“ Hardly anybody wants a pup,” said Tad, 
seriously. But I think he’ll learn not to 
break eggs.” 

Oh ! So he scrambled a few this morning, 
did he ?” asked the man. 

About ten. White leghorns,” imparted the 

boy. 

^‘And you find it cheaper to move than to 
stay and clean up the trouble,” commented the 
boarder. He pulled out his watch, somewhat 
abruptly. You haven’t had breakfast ?” he 
demanded. 

Tad said : Ho, sir.” 

27 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Well, you haven’t missed much.” The 
boarder mused for a moment, then added : 

I’ve a great big notion to show you the way 
to Brown’s. They might need a boy — not to 
mention Diogenes — and I guess you could both 
get something to eat. Is your name Archi- 
medes, or Seneca, or just plain Aristotle?” 

Tad smiled in boyish confusion. No, sir,” 
he said. Diogenes is the only one of those 
old fellers in the family. My name is Thad- 
deus Stevens Warren — and everybody calls me 
Tad, for short.” He paused for a moment, 
then added, wistfully, My mother used to 
call me Sunnyside Tad, sometimes.” 

The boarder was now standing up. 

‘^All right, Thaddeus,” said he; ^Sve’ll go 
along together. Here’s my card.” 

He produced a bit of spotless white bristol 
from his pocket, and gave it to the boy. On it 
Tad read: 

Mr. Harold Harcourt.” 

Thank you,” he said. Then he tucked it 
away with a fine assortment of fish-line, corks, 
some screws, marbles, pieces of several knives, 
and precious miscellany, with which his one 
safe pocket bulged. He glanced about, to find 
Diogenes madly digging in the earth, and 
asked. 


28 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Is it far to Mr. Brown’s 
Two miles,” replied Mr. Harcourt. ^^Why ? 
Does it Imrt your feet to walk ?” 

No/^ said the boy, bnt I guess I’ll pack 
the pup. He’d run about fourteen miles, go- 
ing along as far as that, and he’s hungry enough 
as it is.” 

Therefore, with the eel-like Diogenes making 
ceaseless but futile efforts to escape from his 
stout young arms. Tad was presently trudging 
nimbly along, to keep in pace with the tall man 
there at his side. And while they walked he 
made a quaint and candid confession of his 
utter aloneness in the great, unheeding world, 
as well as of the infinite relief he felt to he gone 
forever from the presence of his most unnatural 
uncle. Then, when he had quietly related the 
manner of his meeting with the pup, his man 
companion looked down at him with something 
oddly tender in his eyes. 

I know we’re going to get a good, big 
breakfast at Brown’s,” he said ; and I’m al- 
most sure they are going to need a boy who 
owns a pup.” 


IV 

DIOGENES AS A GO-BETWEEN 

ROWJST’S was an old-fashioned home- 
stead on a hill. There once had been 
a mill near bj, from which the place 
had been named. The main road 
was cut in the slope below the paint- 
less old fence, which was quite a lit- 
tle distance from the house. A private road, 
grass-grown and crooked, invited the wanderer 
in through the ever-open gate, and thence either 
to the orchard or the barn. Below this fork 
of the roadways a well-beaten path meandered 
through that same orchard — which was the 
most irresistibly charming growth of neglected 
apple-trees that ever stood on such a steep ac- 
clivity. 

Wlien they came to this by-path the man, the 
boy and the piip were of one unanimous opin- 
ion that the thing to do was to take it. Tad 
was tired, as well as hungry. Mr. Harcourt 
had walked far too fast for a boy, but the 
30 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


youngster had held to the pace and made no 
sign of weakening. ISTow, however, he was glad 
enough to release Diogenes, who no sooner felt 
his four active paws once more upon the earth 
than he began to paddle through the grass in 
eager haste to atone for all his time of idleness. 
He clambered up the slope far in advance of 
his friends, his tiny nose, eyes and ears atilt 
for prey. 

!Now the prey of a pup is anything and 
everything, loose and unguarded, in the uni- 
verse — as Diogenes was abundantly aware. 
He presently found a black old shoe, which 
some pup of a day long past had chewed, 
dragged from the house and lost, but that was 
ancient plunder and at present quite worthless 
to any living soul. Diogenes sniffed it and 
left it in scorn. Things that were new and 
valuable were alone worthy his attentions. 
Thus, also, he passed a rag which in times by- 
gone had been a useful stocking. And then — 
just as Tad and Mr. Harcourt topped a shelv- 
ing bench on the rise — ^both the eyes and nose 
of the pup were abruptly gratified. 

The thing that he sniffed and beheld was a 
hat — a brand-new, soft straw, freshly trimmed 
hat, as dainty as art and sweet pink ribbons 
could make it. Unable to contain his joy, Di- 
31 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


ogenes let out a yelp of hilarious ecstasy, and 
made his swoop upon it. 

As every one knows, the only time when a 
hat is difficult to capture is just when the wind 
has whisked it off from a fat man’s head and 
bowled it down the street. Diogenes had no 
such difficulty with which to contend. He cap- 
tured the hat without the slightest trouble, 
nevertheless, he turned a complete front somer- 
sault when he landed with closing jaws and 
both front feet upon its crown. He came up, 
however, shaking it soundly. Simultaneously 
with his acrobatic triumph a shrill scream rang 
through the orchard. Then came a wild, clear 
cry — 

My hat !” 

Tad and his grown companion ran swiftly 
up the hill, just as a vision of loveliness dis- 
traught — a pretty young w^oman, in more pink 
and white — came darting down towards a cer- 
tain small and local storm centre, where the 
hat and Diogenes were fighting. 

“ Here, you ! — drop it !” Mr. Harcourt 
shouted lustily. 

Pup ! — you stop it ! — put it down !” yelled 
little Tad. 

He started after Diogenes with all his might 
and main. So did the girl. And so did Mr. 

32 



(( 




THE PUP RAN MADLY AROUND THE THREE 








SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Harcourt. Diogenes waited till they were all 
quite near, then he suddenly darted past the 
pink-and-white young lady, and up the hill, 
till he stepped on the long, trailing ribbons; 
whereupon he executed a second of his somer- 
saults, came up once more with the hat-rim 
still between his jaws — and sped down the 
slope like a fuzzy rocket. 

Here ! — you drop that cried every one 
at once. 

Diogenes dropped it and looked up, inquir- 
ingly, his saucy little head on one side, his tail 
for a second actually motionless. He beheld 
three red -faced human beings bearing down 
upon him. Pouncing with extravagant ardor, 
just as Tad was about to reach the spot, he 
filled his mouth with the crown of the straw 
confection and once more shot across the orbit 
of his three pursuers. 

My hat !” cried the now almost breathless 
young lady. 

The man could only roar out, Drop it !” 

The pup ran madly around the three, shred- 
ding the ribbons as he went. Tad looked about 
for a rock to throw, and found an apple. This 
he fiung at Diogenes promptly. Diogenes 
stopped to wonder and to shake the hat for 
hanging together so persistently. As before, 
33 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


all three of the hat’s human friends made a 
dash to fall upon him. 

This time he scooted fairly between Mr. Har- 
court’s legs. Mr. Harcourt sat down with com- 
mendable alacrity, hut not in time to pinion 
the pup. Again Diogenes cycloned round and 
round, then up the hill and down the hill, in a 
fury of activities such as only a pup may de- 
velop. 

Once more young Tad clutched an apple to 
throw, hut this time he felt it was mellow in 
his fist. He stopped to take a bite, then ran 
as before. Meantime the thoroughly agitated 
young lady and the thoroughly warmed Mr. 
Harcourt had the pup almost cornered between 
them. The girl came flying down the slope, 
and the man went scrambling up. Diogenes 
lured both to the steepest, most slippery spot 
in all the orchard, then, with super-pup in- 
genuity, changed his course. 

The pretty young lady could only turn — 
she could not halt. Young Mr. Harcourt was 
helpless to escape. In her headlong flight the 
girl’s foot slipped on the juicy grass, and she 
was literally hurled at the young man’s head. 
He caught her in his arms. Then, in pushing 
herself away, in a manner hardly less frantic 
than had been her descent, the girl directed one 
34 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


quick glance at the man, and cried out, Why 
— Harold ! — Mr. Harcourt T’ 

“ Winnie !’’ said he. Winnie Blair r 

She stood perfectly still, gazing in mingled 
surprise on the man thus come once more with- 
in her world. 

Tad, in the meanwhile, standing quite still, 
an astonished witness of this extraordinary out- 
come, continued mechanically to munch at his 
apple. It was a very good apple, and he was 
uncommonly hungry. As if by common im- 
pulse, all three turned round with a single 
thought. Miss Winnie was the only one to 
speak. She said: 

‘‘My hat r 

For a moment no one discovered Diogenes. 
Then the three beheld him all at once. He was 
fifty yards or more away, up on the rise, in- 
dustriously chewing the ribbons and the last 
large piece of straw into pinkish pulp. All 
about him lay the smaller pieces of the hat, 
shining in the sun. How much he had swal- 
lowed could never be known, but he, too, was 
uncommonly hungry. 

Mr. Harcourt could not, for the life of him, 
suppress a smile. Miss Winnie’s two brown 
eyes were likewise dancing with amusement at 
the antics and achievements of Diogenes. Only 
35 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Tad was depressed. He was quite dishearten- 
ed, quite resigned to the fate of taking his pup 
and once more departing by the road. 

Slowly, and somewhat sadly, he climhcd the 
slope to the littered eminence where Diogenes 
was finishing his labors. Here, as there was 
now no longer any occasion to scamper away, 
the pup not only remained to he caught, but 
gave his master joyous welcome. 

Oh, you bad, bad little dog said Tad, 
spatting the two clumsy paws by way of pun- 
ishment. I don’t know what we’re going to 
do unless you try to be better.” 

For answer, Diogenes made his funny little 
growl and gulped at Tad’s two loving hands, 
and wormed his awkward little body against 
the hoy’s knees, as he knelt in the grass, and 
knocked him on the arms with his clumsily 
wagging tail. There was no use scolding such 
a pup as that, especially when he climbed right 
up in a fellow’s face and lapped a fellow’s eye. 

On the slope below, while this was going on. 
Miss Winnie and Harcourt had exchanged great 
volumes of questions, answers, and explana- 
tions, all in a breathless w^ay of excitement, 
wonder, and pleasure. 

A week — ^you’ve been here a week — and I 
thought you meant to hoard at Mrs. Snead’s,” 
30 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


said the man. I understood they would only 
take old people, here at Brown’s.” 

The old people couldn’t come,” said Win- 
nie. And I didn’t know where in the world 
you had gone, and — Oh, I’m so glad ! — about 
my hat, I mean — sorry. That funny little 
dog isn’t yours ?” 

Ho such luck,” replied Mr. Harcourt. 
“ But if it hadn’t been for him — and the boy 
— and by George ! they haven’t had any break- 
fast, and I promised to get them something 
here, and maybe a job — and then I could come 
real often, to see how things were going. What 
do you think ?” 

“ Oh, I wish you would — I mean, I don’t see 
how you could do any less,” said Miss Winnie. 

He seems like a very nice boy.” 

He’s a nice little chap — ran away from 
cruelty, at his uncle’s home, and saved that pup 
from drowning,” imparted Mr. Harcourt, in a 
spirit of honest admiration and affection for 
Tad and Diogenes. And that little dog — 
well, you can see for yourself that he’s quite 
a go-between, can’t you ?” 

My poor, poor hat !” said the girl. “ Do 
get them something else to eat ! I’ll do it my- 
self!” 

She started briskly up the slope, where Tad 
37 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


and the pup still lingered in momentary ex- 
pectation of a scolding. Ilarcourt followed 
closely at her side. 

Tad saw them coming. Tie took Diogenes 
protectingly under his arm, and looked up to 
meet Miss Winnie’s accusing eyes in boyish 
candor. 

He didn’t do it to be really bad,” he said, 
as soon as the pair were near enough to be ad- 
dressed. He’s just a young feller. Maybe 
he thought the ribbons looked like sausages.” 

By George !” said Mr. Harcourt. 

Oh, isn’t he a bright - eyed, naughty little 
scamp ?” said Winnie. 

Diogenes knew that the overtures were 
friendly. He made a sudden leap, escaped from 
Tad, and romped clumsily to the girl, upon 
whose dress he climbed at once, in an effort to 
gobble more ribbon that hung from her waist. 
But Tad was instantly upon him, and turning 
him over, took him up, inverted, and let his 
four paws paddle vainly in the air. 

Why, he can’t have had anything to eat for 
weeks !” exclaimed the girl. Just look at my 
hat!” 

Yes, ma’m,” said Tad. I don’t believe 
you can fix it. I’m very sorry. He was a very 
bad pup. If you’d like to whip him — ” 

38 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Miss Winnie looked him fairly in the face, 
and felt her heart grow warmer as the little 
fellow’s glance met her own. She hardly knew 
why, but she was very happy, very glad of all 
that had happened. 

Never mind,” she said, putting her hand 
very gently on Tad’s small, sturdy shoulder. 

You must come to the house and get some 
breakfast right away.” 


V 


A FEW COMPLICATIONS 

HAT breakfast at the good old- 
fashioned farm-house on the hill 
was only the merest beginning of the 
comforts which Tad and Diogenes 
enjoyed before the fates which gov- 
erned their careers again grew rest- 
ive. Brown’s became the temporary home of 
the two young wanderers. 

And, by the way, the farmer who owned and 
ran the farm was not named Brown at all. 
His name was Applegate. He looked like the 
pictures of Uncle Sam, and he drawled so slow- 
ly between puffs at his pipe that the pipe in 
question invariably went out from one pull to 
another. The farm, despite the fact that it 
was quite as pretty as a painting, was a very 
poor place on which to make a living. There- 
fore, Uncle Sam Applegate and his wife — who 
said she was a woman of very few words, and 
talked from morning till night to prove it — 
40 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 

these two worthy people were nearly as poor as 
the land. 

Tad and Diogenes found these folks just as 
kind as any economical people are likely to be, 
and that was enough. The Applegates had 
hardly accepted boy and pup as guests for noth- 
ing, or even for the chores which Tad willing- 
ly performed, but rather as regular boarders, 
whose weekly account was settled by Mr. Har- 
court — friend in need. This was what he had 
meant when he ventured a confident belief that 
he could find a situation for a boy with a dog. 

It must not be supposed, however, that Tad 
and Diogenes were pampered boarders. They 
earned a good deal more than their salt. To 
begin with, there were four old cows, each of 
which should have been named Columbus, they 
wandered so very far from home. These crea- 
tures became the charge of Tad and the pup, 
who sought them, found them, and fetched them 
home at the end of every blessed day. In ad- 
dition to these duties, there were pigs to be fed 
— and chased by Diogenes ; wood to be chopped 
— and carried away by Diogenes; water to be 
drawn — and lapped from the bucket by Di- 
ogenes; and a garden to be weeded — and ex- 
cavated by Diogenes. 

Tad and the pup had long, tiring days; but 
41 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


they were very contented — Diogenes in particu- 
lar, especially when he could chase a chicken, 
mouth a downy duckling, steal a shoe, or carry 
off and bury the farmer’s newest shirt. They 
saw a great deal of Mr. Harcourt, who, in turn, 
saw much of Winnie. Indeed, between pup 
and boy and the two young people grew a fond- 
ness that was altogether delightful, as the weeks 
rolled by. 

Tad and Diogenes slept in the loft of the 
barn, as they had at Mrs. Snead’s. They pre- 
ferred it, in view of the fact that the farmer 
had said he could spare no other chamber. 
Every night, upon retiring, they said their 
prayers, during the course of which little Tad, 
with infinite patience and trust in things mi- 
raculous, requested that Diogenes be made a 
better dog. For his part, the pup had readily 
learned to sit up straight on his fuzzy hind 
legs, fold his fuzzy little paws and how his 
fuzzy little nose between them, while he sound- 
ed some funny little speech,” half puppy 
growl and half puppy whine, in keeping with 
Tad’s very simple supplication. 

At the end of the week there appeared at the 
farm a parson who was sixty years of age, with 
a wife who was nearly fifty-five, and whose 
chief diversion was to scream in terror every 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


time Diogenes came witliin focus of her glasses. 
She was a distant family connection of Miss 
Winnie’s, sent to this farm by Winnie’s father, 
partly because of a charitable benevolence on 
his part, partly to act as a species of chaperon 
to the otherwise perhaps too happy young lady. 

At the end of the second week a very dis- 
agreeable young man came to stay over Sun- 
day. He was Winnie’s foster - brother and 
cousin, a spoiled and selfish cub, who came to 
borrow money, picked a mean dispute with Mr. 
Harcourt, and went his way again, not, how- 
ever, without having kicked young Diogenes 
for lapping the blacking off his shoe. 

When he had gone even the parson’s wife 
waxed sufficiently compassionate over the limp- 
ing but uncomplaining pup to call him a ^^poor 
little dear.” 

That was enough for Diogenes. He went 
straight up to the lady at once, wriggling his 
body in extravagant friendliness. Then the 
lady was smitten with fright. 

Oh ! Oh !” she screamed. You mustn’t 
come near ! Oh, you mustn’t come near !” and 
she flirted a small lace handkerchief quite in 
Diogenes’ face. And if there was one thing 
more than another that Diogenes liked to chew 
it was a handkerchief. 

43 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


He promptly grabbed it, and setting back 
with all his puppy weight, gave half a dozen 
most ridiculous tugs, and shook his head tre- 
mendously and growled in acceptance of a con- 
test. The lady hung on, and was towed hotly 
forward, till the handkerchief was rent and 
the pup went over backward, to alight in the 
arms of Tad. 

Troubles at Brown’s had commenced then 
and there, in many more ways than one. De- 
spite a score of mischievous things in which 
Diogenes engaged his talents, he and little Tad 
remained for one whole month at this com- 
fortable home, the pup growing amazingly fast. 
By the end of this period Mr. Harcourt and 
Winnie were engaged to be married, and both 
felt the deepest affection for and interest in 
the two young castaways, living, as it were, be- 
neath their fostering care. Then came a 
change. 

That same disagreeable young man who had 
kicked Diogenes reappeared at the farm. This 
time he had come with demands on Mr. Har- 
court far too insolent to be supported. A 
violent altercation ensued that extended far 
enough to include even Winnie herself. 

To Tad was vouchsafed no understanding of 
the quarrel, much of which, as between the two 
44 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


young men, he witnessed. He only knew that, 
later, Winnie and her promised husband part- 
ed, and Mr. Harcourt went away without a 
good-bye, and with only a look of whiteness and 
anguisli on his face. 

Two days later Miss Winnie also left the 
farmer’s home, to return no more. The parson 
and his nervous wife remained, for certain of 
their washing was still in the tub, and, besides, 
they liked the ease and comfort of the place. 

When that self - same wash was flaunting 
on the line that afternoon Diogenes completed 
the devastation of all happiness at Brown’s. 
He caught the sleeve of a very stout shirt in 
his vigorous jaws, and ran and pulled and tore 
so hard that he broke the rope from the tree 
to which it was secured. After that — well, 
the spectacle was saddening — except to the 
pup. 

He was not content to trail all those newly 
scrubbed garments on the earth, and bite and 
tug at each separate piece of washing in turn; 
he must needs pull off the smaller things, for 
more convenient burial at a later time of 
leisure, and then chase round and round the 
tree to which the farther end of the rope was 
fastened, till all those things, besmeared and 
torn, were tightly wrapped about the trunk 
45 


I 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

in some tar with which the tree had just been 
painted. 

Fortunately for all concerned, Farmer Ap- 
plegate had gone to a neighbor’s for the day. 
Otherwise the scene that ensued might have 
been rendered yet more painful for Tad and 
the pup to endure. As it was, Uncle Sam re- 
turned at eight o’clock at night, when the boy 
and Diogenes were sound asleep in the barn. 

Applegate was not the man for great pro- 
crastination. When he had heard all the tale 
he took the lighted lantern, and, going to the 
barn, ascended to the loft and waked the two 
young pilgrims from their slumber. 

The pup was so sleepy he could only blink 
in the light. Then he sighed, in great content, 
and closed his two bright eyes as before. Tad, 
on the contrary, sat up, sharply aware that 
something was coming. The farmer was not 
there in anger, however, nor did he mean to act 
with undue haste. 

Tad,” he said, you’re a good, well- 
meanin’ boy, and you’re helpful on the chores, 
and me and mother’d like fer to keep you on — 
but we can’t no longer abide that there pup. 
He’s come to the end of his tether. If you’re 
minded to stay — why, stay and welcome — but 
don’t let me see that dorg no more on the farm. 

46 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


That’s all. Sorry to come here disturbin’ your 
sleep, hut that’s judgment. Good-night.” 

Good-night,” said Tad, very feebly, and he 
watched where the lantern and the long, shad- 
owy form of the farmer were disappearing. 

Tor a long time he sat there perfectly still, 
gazing out through the harn-loft window at the 
peaceful world, wrapped in God’s darkness of 
the night. Then his hand sought out and lay 
upon the pup — his one companion — his all, the 
all he had in the whole wide universe. 

I guess we’ll have to go,” he said, as if 
Diogenes could hear. Then he presently said 
to the silence : Dear Friend in Heaven, I’ve 
prayed lots and lots of times about Diogenes. 
I guess you’ve made me a pretty good boy, but 
I’m ’fraid you can’t make him a very good 
pup — and please, I wish you’d try just one 
more time.” 

Then he placed his cheek on the pup’s warm 
paw, and with one arm curved about his small 
^companion fell into dream-troubled sleep. 


VI 


BILL-BOARD PROMISES 

AELY as Farmer Applegate arose 
on the following morning, he found 
himself too late when he went to the 
loft to make excuses for Diogenes 
and to ask the boy to stay. Tad and 
the pup were gone. 

To have stayed for breakfast would have 
been quite impossible to the sensitive little 
Thaddeus, resolved as he had been all night 
to cling to Diogenes and go. They had there- 
fore slipped out and away without the slight- 
est trouble to any one, the boy regretting only 
that he could not thank the farmer’s wife 
for all her many kindnesses, and say good-bye 
to all. 

To the pup’s four busy paws, and the boy’s 
two aimless feet, the grass of the hill was de- 
cidedly cool at that early hour of the day. 
Even when they came to the road that led away 
to the great unknown places of the earth, the 
48 





SUNNYSIDE tad 

ground was cold, for dust is warm only in the 
sun. 

A mile or so from the Applegate farm they 
passed an orchard where great, kindly trees 
had leaned far out over the old stone-wall and 
dropped many apples on the sod. The sun was 
up, and the birds were gayly singing; alto- 
gether it was certainly a pleasant time to eat 
a hearty meal. Tad and Diogenes therefore 
halted beside the road and feasted on the ap- 
ples, many pieces of which the pup was willing 
to chew up and swallow, most gravely, so long 
as his youthful master would bite them first 
and place them in his mouth. If he felt that 
he liked juicy pieces of meat much better, he 
very considerately made no remarks upon the 
subject. 

It was not very far below this orchard, along 
the highway, that boy and pup came upon a 
very dilapidated building, which had once been 
employed as a blacksmith’s shop, and across 
the walls and ends of which had been pasted 
the most alluring pictures in the world. They 
were circus posters. Gaudy with color, and 
gorgeous with animals such as neither natural 
evolution nor phenomenal science has yet pro- 
duced, they presented sights and scenes and 
feats, of men and beasts, such as never dared 
49 

\ 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


occur outside a tented show. They were splen- 
did, and everything of which they told was 
splendid, for so they read themselves. It was 
a treat just to stand there and see them. 

The treat was not particularly appealing to 
Diogenes, despite the fact that many of his 
canine brethren were depicted there, perform- 
ing deeds marvellously clever, wherefore he 
plumped himself down in the dust and watched 
young Tad wander from one colored glory to 
the next. 

Tad read it all, including each and every 
bewildering word and richly laden sentence. 
He paid the greatest tribute of admiration to 
all the performers, unearthly in poise and in 
beauty. He metaphorically devoured the ani- 
mals, elephants, camels, rhinosceros, and snakes, 
and yet hungered for more — which was reason- 
able, since he had eaten only apples for his 
breakfast. 

At last, in great reluctance, he resumed his 
journey, going — the Lord alone knew where. 
He passed a farm - house where three sharp- 
ly barking dogs had residence, and where, he 
therefore meditated, the welcome to Diogenes 
would be meagre. On the farther side of this 
old place was a barn that presented one of its 
sides to the turnpike. On this side there were 
50 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


more of the circus posters — that is to say, repe- 
titions of the ones that Tad and the pup had 
already scrutinized. They halted, however, and 
Tad once more read and devoured, with an ap- 
petite steadily increasing. Both he and Di- 
ogenes were quite oblivious of the fact that 
hardly more than twenty feet away, at the edge 
of the road, sat a one-armed man mechanically 
scratching the back of a very large pig. 

The man watched the two young pilgrims 
for fully ten minutes. Then he pushed back 
his hat, drew the back of his hand across his 
face, and said: 

Goin’ to the circus 

Tad started. Diogenes did likewise, and 
barked to show he was not alarmed. The pig 
did not move, but it grunted as if it demanded, 
“ More!” 

The one-armed man promptly resumed his 
manicuring process. 

I — I donT know. Good-morning,” stam- 
mered Tad. I guess I donT know where the 
circus is. Is it going to be to-day ?” 

Can’t ye read ?” replied the man. “ What 
does she say, right down there to the bottom, 
and up there to the top, and across the ele- 
phant’s belly?” He waved his hand in elo- 
quent gestures, to indicate directions. The pig, 
51 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


however, grunted More and down came the 
hand to its task. 

“ Yes,” said Tad, I can read ^ Horners- 

ville, Wednesday afternoon, July ,’ and 

everything; but I donT know where Horners- 
ville is, and I’ve forgotten whether this is 
Friday or Thursday.” 

This is circus day,” imparted the man, 
drawing his hand across his face as before, 
and the village is up this pike, ’bout six or 
seven miles.” He waved a loose gesture, and 
pointing more specifically, was adding, Keep 
bearin’ to your left, and don’t git offen — ” when 
the pig once more grunted her demands. Slav- 
ishly the fingers returned to the bristles on her 
back. If I could git away I’d go and see it, 
sure,” the man concluded. Wonderful doin’s.” 

Tad was big-eyed with speculation and awe. 
Was it possible! Seven miles away — only 
seven little miles! Elephants, camels, acro- 
bats, superbly educated dogs ! — 

Why — I guess I’ll go — and see what it 
looks like — on the outside — anyhow,” gasped 
the boy, suddenly eager to make all possible 
haste towards Hornersville. Maybe I could 
get there on time to see the street parade at ten 
o’clock!” 

They don’t leave you see nuthin’ in the 
52 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


street parade,” observed the man, sagely. Cir- 
cuses don’t show you nuthin’ fer nuthin’ — ner 
popcorn ner lemonade, either.” 

Well, maybe — ” started Tad, but the man 
interrupted. 

And I’ll bet they ain’t got ’ary a critter 
trained up like this ole sow. Don’t she know 
what she wants ? Don’t she know me ? Trained 
up? He winked with prodigious suggestive- 
ness. If you happen to see the boss of that 
there circus, jest tell him you seen me and this 
here sow. That’s all. ” 

All right,” said Tad, stepping briskly 
along, with the pup at his heels eying the 
trained-up ” sow askance. You’re sure it’s 
only seven miles ?” 

Seven er eight, tho’ some calls it nine,” re- 
plied the man, raising his arm again to give 
directions. Bear to the left, and when you 
git to the bridge, why, that’s the village, and 
you can see it a mile before you git there. So 
bear to the left.” 

Thank you,” said Tad, already along so 
far he had to turn his head to look back at his 
informant, and the last thing he heard was a 
grunt from the pig, more remarkably like 
More 1” than before, and the man went on 
with the scratching. 


53 


VII 


THE CIRCUS LEMONADE 

AD anything more than the circus 
itself been required to lure young 
Tad along the road, that warm and 
dusty morning, the posters would 
certainly have supplied all demands. 
The nearer the hoy and pup ap- 
proached to Hornersville, the closer together 
flourished those gorgeous examples of the ad- 
vertising art. 

Farm after farm the two young travellers 
passed, and at many a one of the broad, hos- 
pitable - looking scenes of home comforts the 
boy gazed in longing, only to close some small 
door in his heart and pass on his way, as he 
dwelt in thought upon his past experiences. At 
last, however, his hunger, which he told him- 
self was thirst, constrained him to halt by a 
kitchen door, fortunately near the road, and 
to ask the woman whom he found there for a 
drink of water. 



54 



SUNNYSIDE TAD 


She was fairly young. Better than that, she 
was the mother of two small babies, now play- 
ing just outside in the grass. She looked at 
Tad with kindly interest. 

Wouldn’t you like a dipper of fresh butter- 
milk she inquired. 

Tad replied that he would. 

It was fetched to him soon. 

Jest set on the bench there and drink it 
slow,” said the housewife. Circus days is 
always warm weather.” 

She returned to her work, and Tad sat do’svn 
as directed. He was far more tired than he 
knew. Diogenes sat down before him, and 
looked up as the big dipper of refreshing drink 
was tilted. He watched his master take a 
mighty draught; then he thought it was high 
time to growl. 

Tad understood. “ You can’t drink out of 
the dipper,” he murmured. 

Looking about for a dish, or anything useless 
into which to pour a share for Diogenes, he was 
in despair at the neatness of the place. Only a 
can full of water could he see. Then suddenly 
made glad by the thought, he knelt down, 
formed a cup of his hand, put it on the ground 
and filled it with the creamy drink which the 
pup lapped up with grateful alacrity. 

5 55 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Three times the small brown hand performed 
this service. There was then just one swallow 
of the milk remaining. This Tad absorbed. 
Then rinsing his hand in the can of water, he 
was just in time to restore the dipper when the 
housewife reappeared. 

Will you have another she asked him, 
thoughtfully. 

^To, thank you,” he said. “ But it was 
awful good.” 

Are you going to the circus ?” was the next 
query. We canT go down till this evenin\” 

Yes, ma’am, we’re going,” answered Tad. 

We’re trying to get there in time for the big 
street parade, so I guess we’ll say good-bye, 
and thank you very much.” 

You’re welcome,” said the fond young 
mother, so concerned with her own two babies 
that she yearned over all things tender. I 
hope you’ll see the parade.” 

And Tad was no more than fairly off when 
down the road, behind him, came a wagon load- 
ed to the groaning - point with gayly dressed 
young people from a farm above, the driver 
urging his horses to their topmost speed. 

I Icnow we’ll miss the parade !” said one of 
the girls. 

Tad heard it. His heart almost sank. If 
66 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


horses were about to fail to get to the scene on 
time, then what of a boy and a pup on foot ? 

He started to run, but presently knew that 
a good, rapid walk would serve his purposes 
better in the end. Utterly ignoring the toe that 
he stubbed, even neglecting the flaring circus 
posters themselves, he padded the dust of that 
road with his two bare feet as if his very fate 
depended on his haste. 

Half an hour later he could see the village, 
yet a mile away. Thereafter walking was 
wholly out of the question. With instinct as 
good as a crow’s, Tad and Diogenes ran across 
the fields and leaped a brook, on a short cut 
that brought them to a bridge above the dimin- 
utive river in a time amazingly brief. There 
were wagons and carts, and people on foot, and 
others on horseback, all streaming one narrow 
way, to guide a boy to the centre of interest. 
Joining the van, with Diogenes held firmly in 
his arms for safety. Tad sped onward through 
the town. 

It was not a very large village, but it was 
strung out for quite a distance. Haturally, the 
circus-grounds were on the farthest edge. Hone 
knew whether the great parade had come and 
gone or not. Tad was afraid that it had; and 
perhaps the parade, or other free portion of 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


the show, would be all that he could see. When 
he passed a church and beheld a clock, the 
hands of which pointed to the hour of eleven, 
his courage all but failed him. Only boyish 
hope kept him going. 

He did not know that the parade which starts 
on time has never been invented. But when at 
length he beheld the big, dirty tent, gayly sil- 
houetted against the sky and trees, he was too 
intensely excited to remember any sort of 
worry. 

Two minutes of breathless plunging onward 
and he was there — in the midst of it all ! And 
nothing had started! The wagons were stand- 
ing about in utter disorder, dusty, unloaded, 
and horseless. The horses were being most 
indolently fed, cleaned, and harnessed. Men 
were wandering wearily about, carrying dusty 
red coats, which made quite common persons 
into uniformed hand artists, engaged at stu- 
pendous expense.” Everything was confusion 
and litter of the most diverting description. 

The fact of the whole matter was that the 
circus had only just arrived in town. It had 
been delayed on the road by the break-down of 
one of the wagons. It was a very much worn, 
bedraggled organization, with patched-up can- 
vas, patched - up chariots, patched - up horses, 
68 


I 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


and patclied-up performers. Yet it looked all 
that a circus should to Tad. He wandered 
slowly from one novel sight to the next, so de- 
lighted he really forgot Diogenes, carried in 
his arms. 

Perhaps the one sight in the world more 
wonderful than a circus performance is that 
of putting up the tents, and otherwise getting 
ready for the show. It is such a rich blending 
of mysteries and behind-the-scenes revelations. 
Tad stood perfectly entranced by the sight of 
five men, acting like a human windmill, or 
something of the sort, pounding a stake down 
into the earth, each man hitting it in turn most 
briskly with a huge hammer. A moment later 
his joy expanded tremendously, for the side- 
show tent was actually going up before his very 
eyes, like a vast and limber balloon; and men 
were yo-heaving,” and blocks were creaking 
and clucking, and squads of roustabouts were 
hastening hither and yon, and sweating most 
prodigiously. 

Things happened with amazing rapidity. A 
fellow only saw the half of a process, such as 
raising a canvas structure, when it was done. 
Moreover, a hundred different things were go- 
ing on all at once. Planks and supports for 
seats and benches were being carried to the 
59 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


largest tent, dropped on the earth with a mighty 
clatter, and then assembled by a force of men. 
Tad had a look inside, and saw some lusty, 
active demons making the ring in that same 
large tent, one side of which was not yet closed 
by the canvas. 

A man with a ton of painted boards on his 
back came pufSng towards the boy. 

Git out of the way !” he commanded, and 
Thaddeus got. 

He wandered around to the rear of the place. 
There he came upon inside facts, about as bald 
as facts could be. It was the kitchen and 
dining-room of the entire circus family. The 
grass was strewn with such a confusion of 
things as Tad had never seen in all his life — 
pots, pans, kettles, and eating utensils by the 
storeful; saddles, heaps of costumes, regalia 
for the elephants; boxes, trunks, harness, a 
huge brass horn, coils of rope, stakes, bedding, 
more pots and pans, and two half bales of hay. 

Here, also, a fire was burning on the ground, 
half in and half out of a monster, soot-blacken- 
ed campers’ stove, over which a great laughing 
negro was presiding and cooking. Hear by was 
a canvas shelter, with a long, oil-clothed table 
beneath it, where people were to dine. Already 
it was set with two long rows of tin cups for 
60 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


coffee, tin plates, with iron knives and forks, 
and ten similar clusters of cruets for salt, pep- 
per, sugar, condensed milk, vinegar, and 
catchup. 

There were great supplies of food on the stove 
that Tad thought particularly fragrant and in- 
viting, hut the negro gave him a most discon- 
certing stare, and he wandered around to where 
a wagon stood by itself, its door wide open and 
its contents visible. It was a costume-wagon, 
and two women, tired-looking, plain, and cal- 
lous of appearances, were throwing out tights 
and spangled skirts and a lot of berumpled 
finery that formed quite a heap on the earth. 
Stalking past them was a little girl with very 
slender legs and a very haughty manner, or, at 
least, so it seemed to Tad. He knew at once 
she must belong to the circus. Ho one who did 
not travel with all these glories could walk so 
proudly as that. 

Then his eye was caught and suddenly fixed 
by the most stupendous and irresistible features 
of it all — two great walls of lead-colored ani- 
mation — the elephants ! They were being 
taken from an improvised shelter to one of 
the tents. One was carrying a mighty load of 
stakes, secured in a bundle, like giant faggots. 
The other was carrving nothing but chains. He 
61 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


was manacled from ankle to ankle, and from 
foot to tusks with links of weighty iron — and 
the white sign of danger was blazing in his 
eyes. 

Tad beheld them for a moment only; then 
they were gone. But how his heart was bound- 
ing in his breast! ISTot even the whinings and 
frantic struggles of Diogenes, tightly clasped 
beneath his arm, could bring him back to every- 
day things of the world. 

He was still in this trance when he came to 
a place where the lemonade-man was getting 
ready for business. How the lemonade - man 
expects to sell his drinks before the show, and 
during the show and after the show is over; 
hence he is always in a very great state of im- 
patience to begin. This particular man had 
been delayed, and was consequently far more 
eager than under normal conditions. He was 
rolling out a grimy half-barrel, putting up his 
stand, and heaving out unbreakable glasses all 
at once. Then he spied young Tad. 

Here,’^ he said, laying hold of two buckets 
and almost smacking them down on Tad^s bare 
feet, fetch me some water. Bub, and ITl pass 
you into the side-show.” 

‘‘ What !” said the quite bewildered Tad. 
“ Two buckets of water and — ” 

62 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Fetch me the water! Don^t stop to talk,” 
interrupted the man. Don’t you want to see 
the side-show fer nuthin’ ? Greatest side-show 
that ever took the road 1 Git a move now, and 
fetch me the water. Tie yer pup here, and 
fetch the water !” 

He produced a string, tied it to Diogenes in 
a jiffy, secured the other end to his stand, thrust 
the buckets into Tad’s almost paralyzed hands, 
and started him off. 

Diogenes let out a hark, and attempted to fol- 
low his master. He nearly wrecked the stand ; 
then fortunately the string gave way. Tad 
caught it up, and hastened away towards a 
street where he had noticed a faucet on his way 
through the village. 

It was quite a long walk to the faucet, but 
Tad hurried. He drew a bucket of water and 
set it aside while the second receptacle was 
filling. Diogenes promptly stood on his hind 
legs and lapped a drink from number one. 
Then Tad tied the string to a button on his 
clothes, and back he and the pup went hasten- 
ing. 

The two filled buckets were emptied in the 
man’s half-barrel. They seemed to supply hut 
a trifle on the bottom of the tub. 

Pretty near enough,” said the man, meu- 
63 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


dacioiisly. Fill ^em again, and yon git a 
drink of lemonade to boot.” 

Tad and Diogenes went once more to the 
faucet. Again, on emptying their buckets, 
they heard themselves encouraged, and again 
they made their journey. Indeed, many trips 
back and forth were required before that half- 
barrel was filled. Meantime the man had been 
dumping citric acid into the water, and dye to 
make it all a pretty red, and sugar to make it 
sweet and palatable. He stirred the sugar with 
a paddle, but what remained at the bottom, un- 
dissolved, could not be detected by the stick. 

“ Here, Bub,” said he, just skin up your 
sleeve and feel around on the bottom to see if 
all of it’s melted.” 

Tad obediently pushed up the sleeve from 
his sturdy wrist to his shoulder, and plunging 
his arm in the lemonade felt around below con- 
scientiously. 

Hope,” he said, there’s none of it left. 
It’s every bit melted.” 

All right,” said the man, snatching a glass 
and plunging it into the barrel till it came up 
dripping full. Here’s your drink.” 

Tad took the glass and drank its entire con- 
tents. He even forgot to share with Diogenes, 
who looked up and growled all in vain. 

64 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Good V’ said the man. 

Yes, sir,’^ said Tad, with honest conviction. 

The man immediately roared out, at the top 
of his voice : 

Here you are — your ice-cold lemonade 1 
It’s fresh, it’s nice, it’s right off the ice! The 
very first customer says it’s bully !” 

As he talked he plumped in a large piece of 
ice, that splashed half a gallon of the precious 
drink on his shoes and on the ground, and fill- 
ing half a dozen glasses he made himself ready 
for business. 

Behind him, now. Tad beheld a glorious un- 
furling of banners — the side - show banners, 
whereon were depicted all the wonders of that 
region of marvels in figures ten feet high. 
The toot of a horn also lent excitement to the 
moment. He feared he was about to miss the 
very best part of something, for his lemonade 
friend had said nothing at all concerning that 
promised admission to this important part of 
the day’s entertainment. In fact, the man con- 
tinued to bawl about his refreshing concoction 
of acid-water and sugar. 

Presently Tad could stand it no longer. lie 
had taken Diogenes again in his arms, and he 

edged quite close to his man. 

65 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


“ I’d hate to miss any of that side-show,” he 
suggested. 

You won’t miss anything, my buck,” said 
the man. They ’ain’t even started the parade. 
Show don’t open till that comes back. You 
come around about that time and I’ll take care 
of you, and don’t you fear.” 

Tor the time being Tad was dismissed. Half 
trusting, half doubting the man’s capacity for 
remembering boys and pups and promises, he 
went away, quite slowly, then in greater haste, 
for a drum’s dull boom was sounding on the air. 

Around the tent the street parade was fairly 
being started. The skilled musicians, se- 
cured at a fabulous outlay of money,” had 
donned the dusty red coats, searched out bat- 
tered instruments, mounted to the seats of the 
scarred and rickety golden chariot of the 
muses,” and the tired-out horses having been 
harnessed and decorated with dusty caparisons, 
the glittering spectacle of magnificence and 
splendor ” was about to take possession of the 
village thoroughfares. 

Simultaneously with the start, a gong was 
sounded at the rear of the tent, and all the cir- 
cus people not required to engineer the parade 
made unseemly haste to get at the dinner which 
the cook announced was prepared. 

66 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Tad^s inclinations oscillated between follow- 
ing the gorgeous parade and standing around 
the open-air department of dining. Inasmuch, 
however, as nearly every hoy in all the land was 
promptly trailing after the music. Tad forgot 
that he was hungry. A moment later he felt 
amply repaid for choosing the pageant, for out 
of the tent came one big elephant, the one with- 
out manacles, and behind him came a very tiny 
pony, and behind that issued a real live bear, 
with a ring in his nose to which a chain was 
fastened, the end being borne by a man. There 
seemed to be no camels, for which Tad wait- 
ed, and the rhinosceros — if they had one — was 
evidently indisposed. To compensate for any 
and all deficiencies, however, six of the gilded 
wagons, quite empty of either animals or cargo, 
wheeled into line. The last one of these was 
alone worth the attentions of every human be- 
ing in Hornersville, since up beside the driver 
sat a good-sized ape, earnestly endeavoring to 
dissolve a new glass marble by putting it in and 
out of his mouth repeatedly. 

The band struck up with vigor, the boys went 
trooping and yelling with the van, and the day’s 
excitements were fairly inaugurated. 


VIII 

AN ELEPHANT’S WAY WITH A PUP 

AD and Diogenes followed as far as 
the pageant went, only to find, when 
they came once more to the circus- 
gronnds, that everything not before 
in readiness for visitors had been 
hastened towards completion in ev- 
ery direction. The side - show, indeed, was 
ready for business. The man outside so in- 
formed the world. Tad’s excitement was tre- 
mendous. He pushed his way through the gath- 
ering throng of natives and came to his man 
of the pink lemonade, flushed and eager. 

It seems to be ready, and everything’s 
hack,” he said, giving Diogenes a hitch, to hold 
him more securely. I’m the boy that brought 
the water — and felt for the sugar.” 

Yep, I’d know you if we was to meet in 
heaven,” said the man. Come on.” 

He led the way through the crowd at the 
ticket-agent’s stand, and Tad clung close beside 
68 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


him. It seemed to the boy as if everybody in 
that part of the world was paying to crowd into 
the show. In awe and the pride consequent 
upon getting in free, he found himself con- 
fronting the doorkeeper a moment later. Then 
the lemonade man said : 

“ Tom, sherry the kid inter the fakement,” 
and Tom ” gave a nod supposed to be worth 
fully fifteen cents, or ten cents, at least, for 
children. 

Tad and Diogenes went into the canvas hall 
of wonders, and a band of music struck up then 
and there, playing a tune that was certainly all 
its own. 

For a moment the hoy stood barely inside and 
stared, yet there was certainly no very great 
aggregation of marvels ” apparent. He saw 
an excessively fleshy lady, however, and won- 
dered where she could possibly have concealed 
herself before the show was opened. Then he 
saw an empty booth, with a placard marked 
Punch and Judy ” upon it, after which his 
gaze went wandering to a tattooed man and a 
second woman, dressed in a glittering fabric 
such as the hoy had never seen in all his life, 
and with that same big ape he had seen on the 
wagon sitting on a table at her side. In addi- 
tion to all these features, the ring-nosed hear, 
69 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


the tiny pony, and the two big elephants were 
here on view. Yet with all of these to be seen, 
for as long as he liked. Tad’s gaze was trans- 
fixed when he looked at the band. 

It was not that this side-show orchestra was 
large, or glittering in gilded accoutrements — 
but it was almost entirely comprised of chil- 
dren. There were five in its membership, the 
oldest a youth of perhaps seventeen, the others 
all under thirteen years of age. That same lit- 
tle girl, with the very slender legs and haughty 
manners, was one, her companions all being 
boys. 

Fascinated by the evidence of musical genius 
so pronounced in youngsters so small. Tad drew 
near. It was almost unbelievable that such mere 
children could master these instruments and 
produce such entrancing results. 

The little girl sat on a stool and operated a 
much-abused cornet. The three small boys all 
occupied chairs, one to play a flute or piccolo, 
as fancy seemed to suggest, another to play on 
an alto-horn, and the last to dally with a clari- 
net, to which he seemed to give the most in- 
different attention. Indeed, all the players 
appeared to be engrossed in anything save the 
music or the presence of one another. They 
seemed to be quite tired out, and only to be 
70 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


playing because playing was easier than rest- 
ing. And the largest boy, or youth, by the way, 
played nothing more important than an old 
bass-drum and pair of cymbals. He was obvi- 
ously quite the least of them all in point of 
skill. 

The little chap with the flute and piccolo 
could not reach the floor with his feet. He 
lolled most wearily over in his chair, playing 
now the one instrument, now the other, as if 
he only meant to ascertain which of the two 
afforded the greater ease of manipulation. 
The diminutive artist with the horn gazed lan- 
guidly about the tent, his soul quite sick with 
music. 

He of the clarinet, however, was a versatile 
young organism. He had a jack-knife and a 
large piece of wood on his seat beside his knee, 
and halting in the production of melody, from 
time to time, took up his material and steel and 
whittled away with commendable industry, 
only to put the things down and resume his 
playing at the most unexpected moments. But 
whittling, half sleeping, or gazing idly about, 
the youngsters kept up the tune, in time, in key, 
and indeflnitely. 

It was not until this music finally ceased, 
and the child-players put down their instru- 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


ments and gave him one cold stare of indiffer- 
ence apiece that Tad turned again to tlie regu- 
lar features of the show. ISTot one of the youth- 
ful prodigies had deigned to expend more than 
half a glance on Diogenes, weary of struggling 
in Tad’s tense embrace, and this strange atti- 
tude of mind was to Thaddeus quite incompre- 
hensible. However, there were many things to 
see. 

He went and looked at the tattooed man, 
wondering how in the world a human being 
could so expose his two bare legs and arms and 
chest and still not appear as if he knew that 
people were looking right straight at him. 
Then in curiosity to know what was meant by 
that word tattooed,” Tad forgot the man’s 
shocking nudity and came quite close. 

Is that a kind of wall-paper on your legs ?” 
he inquired. 

Pricked in with a needle,” said the man, 
mechanically. To this he added, smilelessly. 

Is that a kind of a horse you’ve got in your 
arms ?” 

Ho, sir,” answered Tad, earnestly. 

Then how did he git up P” demanded the 
tattooed man, and he laughed in great good 
nature. 

Some people behind the boy were laughing 
72 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


also. Tad was guilty of a sickly grin as lie 
passed along. Then his attention was suddenly 
arrested by the elephants on one side and the 
woman witli the ape on the other. Which to 
visit and examine first he could hardly deter- 
mine, but the elephants proved the greater 
magnet. 

It was almost enough just to stand there and 
marvel at these giant creations, so powerful 
and awkward and lovable. Tad had never seen 
but one great pachyderm before, and that had 
been in his tenderest youth. 'Now the massive 
features of N^ature’s own living architectural 
achievement presented themselves with a 
strangeness, peculiarly familiar, that held the 
boy motionless, awed and almost worshipful. 
He felt a sudden sense of love for these great 
fellows of the jungle, who seemed so eternally 
to ponder the puzzle of captivity. 

The more tractable big fellow of the pair 
was extending his trunk towards every admirer 
who came there to stand before the rope. Pea- 
nuts, candy, and apples, contributed somewhat 
scantily, disappeared indiscriminately within 
his mouth without producing the slightest sign 
on his countenance that Tad could discern. 
How he knew which he preferred was a bother 
to Tad, who then fell to wondering how it was 
73 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


that the mate of this elephant wore such a mas- 
sive load of chains. 

This manacled captive stood with his back 
half turned to the curious folk becoming mo- 
mentarily more numerous before the ropes. He 
swung himself ceaselessly hack and forth, his 
mood dark, sullen, and resentful. Already his 
chains had worn the grass from a spot a foot in 
width as he rocked like a ponderous hulk on 
the tide. 

So absorbed did Thaddeus at length become 
that Diogenes slipped from his arm to the 
earth, and fell to picking up the peanuts which 
had fallen too far for the elephant to reach or 
the people to regain. These the hungry little 
scamp chewed up and swallowed with avidity. 
Beholding him there, the manacled elephant 
ceased for a second to weave in his tracks. He 
glared forbiddingly, his two little eyes showing 
cold gleams of white, till the pup looked up; 
then the elephant rocked his bulk as before. 

What he thought it was he beheld in that 
glance vouchsafed him by the elephant, Di- 
ogenes only could have told. But being quite 
at liberty on the good warm earth, and the 
string long since broken from his neck, he was 
free to act as he fancied. 

He sounded his funny little growl of friend- 
74 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


ship, and trotting briskly to the trunk of the 
mountainous creature from the jungle, leaped 
up and put his paws against it in youthful 
playfulness and trust. 

For a second a chorus of startled exclama- 
tions, where people gasped or cried out in ter- 
ror, struck sharply on young Tad’s attention. 
Then in utter fear and silence, the spectators. 
Tad included, beheld that great, resentful brute 
from India poise and slowly lift one mighty 
foot and writhe that trunk as if to hold the 
pup in place just long enough to step upon and 
crush him to a faintly quivering mass beneath 
those tons of weight. 

A half -stifled cry escaped the lips of the 
keeper, who till now had not observed the pup’s 
manoeuvres. 

Ramm !” he cried out, savagely. 

If the elephant heard his name, or anything, 
save some growled little overture in pup talk, 
made by Diogenes, he gave no sign. He held 
that menacing foot half up for a momenl more, 
then slowly placed its hulk on Diogenes’s shoul- 
der — and gave him a push. 

Diogenes responded instantly by putting his 
nose quite down to the earth, his tail tremen- 
dously up in the air, and leaping once more on 
the elephant’s trunk, which to him seemed as 
75 


\ 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


good as a playful hand with which to engage in 
a frolic. 

By this time Tad had found his voice. 

Pup — you pup! — come here!” he cried, 
and he fell on his hands and knees beneath the 
rope. 

Diogenes gave a funny little start, and put 
his head on one side. Then seeing the ele- 
phant’s trunk quite near, he raised up a paw 
and gave it a spat. 

The keeper was groaning and cursing under 
his breath. 

Bamm !” he cried as he had before, and he 
looked about in panic for the sharp piece of 
steel with which he often prodded and con- 
trolled his animals. 

The horrified, fascinated spectators now be- 
held the massive trunk move with the quick- 
ness of a snake, and the helpless Diogenes was 
instantly caught in its coil. Before he had 
time to do more than growl as before, in his 
friendly way, the huge beast had tossed him, 
quite unharmed, to the very feet of the people 
at the ropes. 

The pup recovered, and turned to bound hack 
to the sport ; but Tad, with a sob-like cry in his 
throat, landed face, hands, and stomach upon 
him, to the infinite relief of all beholders. 


A 


76 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


'Now git you right out of it ! Out of the 
tent bawled the keeper, who had feared more 
than any, since he know more than any of 
the elephant’s murderous ugliness, and he gave 
poor Tad a vigorous push towards the door. 

Git out wuth that fool of a pup !” he added, 
as they went, scarin’ the whole bloomin’ 
show here half to death !” 

It was useless to try to explain, protest, or 
declare that the pup would reform. By the 
very paleness of the keeper’s face. Tad knew 
what the danger had been, and knew that he 
and Diogenes were disgraced and unforgivable. 
He turned his hack on all those wonders — 
ape. Punch and Judy, and all — all cling- 
ing to Diogenes, hung down his head and de- 
parted. 

Elephant’s killed two dogs and a man !” 
said the keeper, still scolding, hut now also 
slightly sorry for the boy. Can’t run no more 
of these chances. Dogs ain’t allowed in the 
show.” 

They came to the exit, and Tad was going 
out. 

Here, kid, here’s your money back. Don’t 
want to take your money when you can’t see 
the show,” said the keeper, and he tendered him 
a dime on the end of his finger. 

77 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Thank you ; no, sir. I didnT pay to 
get in,” said Tad. I got in for carrying 
water.” 

And he walked forlornly forth, one hand au- 
tomatically stroking the pup on the stomach. 


IX 


BELATED COMFORTS 

O wander about in an aimless way, 
on the outside part of the many at- 
tractions, while others were trooping 
within, was some small pleasure, 
anwvvay, thought Tad to himself, till 
at last he saw the side-show being 
hurriedly emptied, and every one hastening 
pell-mell to the main tent itself. 

He had heard the side-show music playing, 
time after time, hut now the regular band of 
the regular show — the circus itself, in the 
monster canvas arena,” to which the atten- 
tion of all was directed; this enticing lot of 
performers abruptly assaulted the noisy air 
with enlivening strains, and the boy felt the 
heart go quite out of his philosophy. 

He stood around the ticket - seller’s gaudy 
pagoda, holding Diogenes, till hundreds of peo- 
ple had passed him by, unheedingly. He stroll- 
ed suggestively near to the stand where the 
79 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


pink -lemonade man was getting ready for in- 
side business, but was wholly unrecognized, 
ignored. 

Just merely to ache to get into a circus has 
never yet procured a boy an admission — espe- 
cially an unsophisticated, honest little chap of 
Tad’s description. He did not get in. 

A dozen penniless little rogues made shift 
to crawl in under the canvas. Some were 
caught and expelled by watchful guardians of 
the show’s integrity, but even they made bold 
to try again, and gradually evaded the clever- 
est men, one by one, and were lost in the audi- 
ence on the benches. 

Tad knew no such arts or boldness. Round 
and round the tent he wandered, tired, hungry, 
and disheartened, the wearied Diogenes finally 
asleep in his arms. The opening march music, 
inside, had been concluded, and peals and waves 
of laughter were greeting the antics of the 
clown, already in the ring. Applause, hilarity, 
even ohs ” and ahs ” of excited admiration 
greeted the senses of the lonely little chap with- 
out. 

At length he sat down on the grass, too tired 
to walk any farther. He would not cry, either 
for hunger, disappointment or weariness, but 
his grave little face came dovui on the grass, 
80 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


and his two heavy eyes felt far better when he 
closed them and tried to forget. 

And there he fell asleep, his arm about Di- 
ogenes, his troubles presently gone. Then fully 
one hour later a half - lame, grizzly bearded, 
merry-eyed old veteran of the civil war, now 
attached to the show, came limping briskly 
around the tent and paused at the sight pre- 
sented by the boy. Simultaneously a gteat 
gust of applause and cheering broke from the 
tent — and Tad awoke, sitting up startled and 
alert. 

Hullo, comrade,” said the smiling old sol- 
dier, who was nearly as dusty as a tramp. 

Been snoosin’ ? What^s the matter with the 
circus ? Didn’t you want to see the circus 
Tad stood up and gathered Diogenes into his 
arms. 

Yes, sir,” he said ; but I didn’t have any 
money.” 

Money ? A boy like you needs money to 
see a circus ?” asked the old fellow, his two eyes 
twinkling brightly. Here, what’s the matter 
with crawling right in your own door?” and 
he raised the bottom of the canvas. Git in 
there, and see what they’re doin’.” 

Do you belong to the circus ?” asked Tad, 
in wonder. 


81 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


You bet ! A heap sight more than the 
circus belongs to me, comrade,” answered the 
man, who was merely a teamster. Here you 
go 1’' 

Tad lost no more precious time in question- 
ing. He went in under that canvas like an eel, 
and the old fellow outside chuckled with de- 
light. 

There was only one act remaining, in addi- 
tion to the concert which would follow the main 
entertainment. This was the act ” in which 
an educated dog — a half - breed poodle - and- 
shepherd — leaped through a loop and sat in 
a chair, walked on his two hind legs and stood 
on his head, to the thorough entrancement of 
all the audience and the utter bewilderment 
and jealousy of Tad. And he had thought 
Diogenes was smart! 

When he found himself obliged to leave, hav- 
ing no money for the concert, his appetite of 
an earlier time in the day had merely been 
whetted. He could no more leave those circus- 
grounds than he could think of flying. More- 
over, he must see that dog! Moreover, again, 
where should he go but somewhere near, under 
any conditions ? 

Hearly every visitor save himself and Di- 
ogenes departed. If any intended returning 
82 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


they must first needs eat a hearty supper be- 
tween whiles. 

Concerning the need for supper, Tad might 
have thought very little, in his new excitement 
about that educated dog, had it not been that 
certain rich essences of coffee, broiling steak, 
and stewing beans came floating on the atmos- 
phere again from that out-door kitchen at the 
back of all the tents. 

He wandered around there and sat on a box, 
whence no one drove him away for more than 
an hour. Then a man came and took away the 
box for fuel. The sun went down. The cir- 
cus folk entitled to sit at first table had their 
supper — and Tad watched in hunger from 
afar. 

Twilight came. The second table-load of 
good things was disappearing. It was not, 
however, till the table was set for the third and 
final time that Tad again beheld the limping 
old veteran. This worthy being took supper 
with the roustabouts and the ragtag and bobtail 
of the show. And having finished his meal, it 
was he, just at dark, who rediscovered Tad and 
the pup, and fetched a good big hone, with quite 
a bit of meat upon it, for Diogenes. 

Comrade,” said he, that little dorg of 
yours acts like he’s hungry. I’ll bet you fergot 
83 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


to give him his dinner. Did yon come back to 
see the circus ag’in to-night V’ 

I — I’d like to see it to-night,” confessed 
the boy. But I didn’t forget the pup was 

hungry.” 

Then, don’t he want this bone ?” said the 
man, preparing to toss it away. 

Oh, yes, I think he does !” said Tad, timid- 
ly putting forth his hand to receive it, while 
Diogenes manifested the most eager spirit of 
acceptance, and tried his best to assume pos- 
session with undue haste. I’ll take it over 
by the trees and let him have it there.” He 
started for the trees, but halted to add, Is it 
easier to git in the circus at night than it is in 
the day?” 

“ You come around to the bosses ’bout the 
time the show begins,” said the teamster, and 
ask for Calamity. That’s me. I’ll see you 
git in.” 

Oh, I’ll be awful glad !” confessed the boy, 
and the tears started out of his eyes. 

A moment later he and Diogenes, the boy 
kneeling, the pup sitting or hopping on the 
earth, were dividing the meat on that bone. And 
when even Tad could nibble no more from its 
smooth, sweet surface, Diogenes gnawed and 
licked it for nearly an hour. 

84 


X 


A FRIEND IN NEED 

O Tad the aspect of circus things by 
night was quite as wonderful as any- 
thing extant. The flaring kerosene 
lamps, the busy groups of men, the 
noises and cries, the huge, dark, bil- 
lowing tent, at length illuminated, 
and the mystery of voices in that canvas secrecy 
where performers were dressing and preparing 
for the evening’s programme — all these things 
assumed new fascinations under night’s en- 
closing darkness. 

Tad wandered around to the shelter used for 
the horses long before the time his old team- 
ster had suggested. He did not see his friend. 
In fact he was thoroughly puzzled to know 
where everybody disappeared so constantly. 
!A11 the “ real ” circus people seemed remark- 
ably concealed — particularly that educated 
dog. 

Xaturally Diogenes was again in his young 
85 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


master’s arms, wearied as Tad’s every muscle 
had become. But to lose him now, when that 
circus dog had shown how learned a dog could 
become, was a thought quite insupportable. 

Again, as they had in the afternoon, the 
man in front of the side-show and the man with 
the pink lemonade, and other men with pop- 
corn, peanuts, candy, or other attractions to 
offer, began to shout the glad tidings that every- 
thing was ready for the populace, regathering 
upon the grounds. It was all exciting, all very 
magnetic to the tired hoy, who had eaten less 
than one good meal for all the day. He watch- 
ed the proceedings before the entrances with 
never-flagging interest, stifling an envy, from 
time to time, as he saw so many boys and girls 
of his age happily flocking to everything af- 
forded, including even the candy and the 
lemonade. 

As before, the music in the side-show was 
going. How Tad regretted his lost opportuni- 
ties — the ape, the fat lady, and Punch and 
Judy, of which he had heard all his life! 

When at length the moment came for the 
band in the main tent to start its first blare of 
music. Tad fairly ran to the horse - shelter, 
jealous of every passing second that now with- 
held him from that coveted region of wonders. 

86 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

He saw two men, neither of them his particular 
teamster. 

Please, sir,” he said to one, can you tell 
me where to find Mr. Calamity ?” 

Mister Calamity !” mocked the man. Say, 
what do you think of that ? Mister Calamity ! 
What’s the matter with Doctor Calamity? — 
or President Calamity? — or King Calamity? 
Say, go up to the furder end and ask the gent 
there fer ‘ Lord ’ Calamity.” 

Tad walked briskly along as directed, and 
heard the voice of some man who roared like 
a giant, scolding and cursing and threatening 
many dire catastrophes about to descend on the 
head of some one near at hand. And the per- 
son thus exposed to imminent danger was Tad’s 
old veteran, who had called himself Calamity. 
He was harnessing horses, while a big, rough, 
angered boss ” beside him was heaping abuse 
and indignities upon him. It was not, how- 
ever, till the big man made a pass to strike him 
that the limping old helper made reply. He 
hopped around by his horse with ludicrous agil- 
ity and held up his hand. 

Hold on — peace on earth. Bill — peace on 
earth,” he said, with a twinkle in his eyes ; and 
Bill ” was not sufficiently courageous to fol- 
low him up around that particular horse, for 
7 87 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


the animal and Bill ’’ had kicked one another 
till the habit had become fairly fixed. 

Peace !” mocked the big man in a voice 
fairly bristling with menace. You’re goin’ 
to be my piece some day when they’re handin’ 
out the pie !” And off he went. 

Tad waited some minutes before approach- 
ing his teamster. Calamity ” beheld him the 
moment he came within the light of a smoking 
kerosene torch. 

“Hullo, comrade,” he said, with vast good 
cheer ; “ did you hear m.e givin’ Bill a dressin’ 
down?” He chuckled to himself most com- 
fortably. “ You bet I learned somethin’ when 
me and Hapoleon was pirates. I s’pose you 
want to go to the show. Let me tie your dorg 
right up here, where no one can find him, and 
I’ll git you in.” 

“ Couldn’t I take him with me ? He never 
saw a whole circus in his life,” said Tad. “ I 
won’t let him bark or git away.” 

“ If they seen you they wouldn’t let him 
stay,” replied Calamity. “ I’ll see he don’t 
git lost.” 

Tad therefore suffered Diogenes to be tied 
near one of the horses, after which his friend 
and benefactor led him promptly to the en- 
trance of the tent. There he made his way to 
88 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


the doorkeeper, already busy taking tickets 
from the in-pouring throng. What it was that 
Calamity said, Tad could not overhear. He 
was only aware that the doorkeeper shook his 
head somewhat violently. 

Ho !” he said, with emphasis. Ho, I 
won’t! You’ve run that game to death. Ca- 
lamity, and it ain’t goin’ to go no more 1” 

Calamity came back to the boy, all smiles 
and chuckles. 

It’s all right,” he said. All I’ve got to 
do is to buy you the ticket and in you go.” 

He therefore purchased the necessary bit 
of cardboard from his own meagre hoard of 
money, and placed it in Tad’s eager hand. 

And here you are, fifteen cents to see the 
concert after the show, if you hanker fer more,” 
he added, in honest generosity. 

Tad went in and found a seat. The hand 
was playing, the lights were flaring, some men 
were raking and cleaning the ring, and all the 
place was redolent of circus atmosphere. It 
was simply splendid ! 

Then at last the show commenced, and for 
fully an hour and a half the most excited, 
pleased, wonder-smitten boy in all the world 
was Thaddeus, sitting immovably upon the 
hard hoard bench, his tense fist closed upon 
89 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

the fifteen cents with which to prolong his 
ecstasy. 

Eiders, clowns, acrobats, tumblers, jugglers, 
and all, the artists produced the most profound 
impressions on the boy. And yet at the end it 
was still the educated dog that won his greatest 
admiration. 

He stayed to see the concert, a wretched apol- 
ogy for further diversion, and again beheld that 
same small girl with the airs and the long, 
thin legs, who now “ entertained and delight- 
ed ” the audience with several songs, each sung 
in a voice more high and nasal than the last. 
Even as she sang the tent, benches, and plat- 
forms were being prepared for removal, after 
which, abruptly, the show was at an end — and 
circus day was over. 

Tad would still have lingered. He was told 
to get out and go home. Out he therefore went, 
the last spectator to depart. A moment later 
he l6oked about in utter bewilderment. The 
side-show tent, the ticket pagoda, the lemonade 
stand — nearly everything save the great tent 
itself was gone — swept away as if by the veriest 
magic. 

He felt almost lost. Everything appeared 
so different! He was wholly without land- 
marks to guide his course. Confused and a 
90 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


little apprehensive, he stood looking about him, 
while the last straggling remnants of the even- 
ing’s audience went their way — went home. 

Tad thought of his pup, but of home there 
was none to which his thoughts could be di- 
rected. He hastened around to what he thought 
must be the place where Diogenes had been 
secured. There was not a sign of horse-shelter 
there to be discovered. In the flaring light a 
lot of half-seen men were harnessing horses, 
loading up the wagons, pulling down anything 
and everything perpendicular upon the earth, 
and shouting directions across the trampled 
field. 

Alarmed for the safety of Diogenes, Tad 
proceeded on his search, and almost ran against 
an elephant, so dark and prodigious as to be- 
come a part of the landscape magnified by 
shadows. It was, of course, the better-natured 
elephant, and work was her portion, now that 
the day’s exhibition was ended. She was pull- 
ing up stakes — the stakes that men with ham- 
mers had pounded down into the sod that morn- 
ing. She knew precisely what was expected 
of her strength, and how to use it best. Her 
great trunk twined about the stubbornest stake 
in an easy way of deliberation, rocked it as a 
dentist rocks a tooth in a jaw, then out it 
91 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


came, to be tossed to a heap that lay on the 
earth, extracted by similar process, and on she 
went to the next. 

Tad loved this elephant anew. He longed to 
stay at her side and watch, but memories of 
his own young, friendless Diogenes were call- 
ing, and away he went, again on a search for 
the horses and Calamity. 

For fully ten minutes, that seemed like half 
an hour, the boy vainly roved the place of deso- 
lation and devastation which the grounds were 
so rapidly becoming. Diogenes was lost! Tad 
was nearly distracted. The horse -tent was 
gone ; the horses themselves were scattered in 
every direction; Calamity was nowhere to be 
seen. Then Diogenes abruptly found himself. 
He beheld and recognized his youthful master 
across a stretch of darkness, and barked in joy 
uncontainable. 

Tad knew that bark. He ran with all his 
might, struck a stake, pitched headlong on the 
grass, leaped up, and scudding ahead once 
more, came upon the eager pup, tied to the 
wheel of a wagon, where Calamity had secured 
him when the shelter was removed. 

Calamity himself was not about. Tad lost 
no time, however, in taking Diogenes to his 
arms and heart, after breaking off the string 
92 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


from the pup’s small neck, and then — then 
they were ready to go. 

For a moment after he got upon his feet, 
holding his dog, Tad faced the big, dark tent. 
Suddenly before his very eyes it vanished — 
collapsed — sank down to the earth, and left a 
mighty void of blackness in its place. This 
was, indeed, the end. 

A pang of bereavement shot into Tad’s boy- 
ish heart, he knew not why. The circus had 
seemed like something to which to cling in his 
homelessness. The great tent had symbolized 
companionship — of some strange sort. It had 
been an object by which to remain. The boy 
was now confronted by the question where 
to go. 

Hot another soul of the recent audience had 
remained for this conclusion. All had gone 
home. Home ! Where was the home to which 
the boy and pup could turn ? Accumulated 
weariness and hunger came upon the little chap 
together, with a sudden realization of his utter- 
ly forlorn condition. 

He walked aimlessly a rod away and stood 
there, undecided. Where should he go ? 
Where could he go? All directions were alike 
uninviting. In an aimless way he turned about, 
mechanically moving his feet, which were ach- 
93 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


ing dully. Indeed, his whole small body ached 
with the efforts and privations of the day. 

He heard a man bawl at his horses, then the 
creak and jolt of heavy wheels. A wagon start- 
ed, moved away, and disappeared in the dark- 
ness. Already even the confused ruins of the 
canvas world were departing, unit by unit. A 
realizing sense that presently nothing would 
remain — not a horse, not a wagon, not a stake, 
not a man — possessed the boy and added to his 
poignant emotions. He would soon be here 
alone — and nothing but the echo of the shouts 
and laughter and jokes and songs would bear 
him company. 

He made no sound, but he moved towards 
a wagon eagerly. The driver cracked his 
whip, the horses strained, and into the curtain 
of darkness the chariot of gold was quickly 
fading. And the exodus having commenced, a 
wagon went with every minute. Moreover, the 
busy groups of men on the field were now re- 
duced. Some were gone entirely. Only a few, 
indeed, were hastening hither and yon, across 
the trampled sod, in search of stray stakes, 
ropes, and tools. 

In one direction a solitary, halting figure, 
bearing a lantern, attracted Tad’s attention. 
The lantern came nearer. It continued straight 
94 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


towards himself and Diogenes. The pup began 
to whine and to struggle. Then the lantern 
was suddenly raised, revealing a small, old, 
bearded face, with the brightest of eyes. It 
was Calamity. 

“ Hullo, comrade,” he said, in some surprise ; 
“ ain^t you and that dorg goin’ home fer a 
while 

I don’t know. We haven’t any home to 
go to,” said Tad, tremendously glad to see this 
friend once again. We don’t know where 
to go.” 

Did you run away to join the circus ?” 
asked Calamity, chuckling warmly. And 
now do you wish you hadn’t ?” 

“ Ho, we didn’t run away,” answered Tad, 
truthfully. Hobody wanted us any more. 
That’s all. ” 

And you ’ain’t got any place to go to- 
night ?” 

Ho, sir,” said Tad, unless it’s under a 
tree somewhere.” 

Then, why don’t you come along with me, 
and ride in my wagon?” suggested Calamity. 

You can join the circus and go along with 
me.” 

The thought was almost overwhelming. Tad 

could scarcely get the breath to reply. 

95 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Oh, could I ? Could I ?’’ he asked in un- 
belief. And could we belong to the circus 

Good-natured old Calamity was the tag-end 
of all the organization. As a circus entity 
he was the least indispensable adjunct of the 
show. He was hardly more important than a 
piece of old rope or a battered stake, permitted, 
rather than urged, to remain in the van. His 
speck of authority was the most minute atom 
conceivable. But such as it was he wielded this 
speck as if it had been a sceptre invested with 
absolute dominion. 

You bet you’ll belong to the circus !” he 
said. “ We need new blood, as we used to say 
when we was pirates. You come and git into 
my wagon.” 

He led the way to the lumbering vehicle in 
question. It was loaded with the horse-tent, 
the saddles, the harness not employed in travel- 
ling, sacks of unconsumed barley, ropes, rolls 
of blankets used as beds by other teamsters, and 
anything and everything heterogeneous or repu- 
diated by the other conveyances, including the 
soot-laden stove, with its complement of pots, 
pans, and kettles, among which the negro cook 
was soundly sleeping at the present moment. 

Too breathlessly excited to talk. Tad got into 
the wagon and was put in possession of Calam- 
96 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


ity’s roll of comforters and blanketi. Five 
minutes later the wagon started. 

And now where are all of us going said 
the boy at last. 

I don’t know, comrade — somewhere,” said 
Calamity. It won’t be to Paradise ; that’s 
all I know. But youd better go to bed. Just 
untie them things and roll up inside, you and 
the dorg. I’ve got to keep awake — enough to 
drive,” and he chuckled engagingly. 

Despite the motion of the wagon. Tad un- 
fastened the roll of bedding and made a place 
almost level on top of ropes and sacks. Di- 
ogenes had already gone to sleep. But Tad 
waked him up to say his prayers. 

It was not an easy task to hold Diogenes up 
on his haunches and hold down his nose on the 
limp and tired paws, but Tad did the very best 
he could. Then he prayed in the lightest of 
whispers. 

Dear Friend in Heaven,” he said, I’m 
awful sleepy to pray much, but please make 
Diogenes a good pup and me a good boy, and 
bless Mr. Calamity, and take good care of the 
poor boys who don’t belong to the circus, for 
Christ’s sake. Amen.” 

He fell asleep, in his boyish trust, and was 
driven away — not even Calamity knew where. 

97 


XI 


BELONGING TO THE CIRCUS 

HAT was a wonderful night. Thrice 
Tad awoke and heard strange voices 
calling from wagon to wagon of the 
caravan. On each occasion he re- 
membered the one huge fact — he be- 
longed to the circus! 

He stirred again at dawn and raised himself 
enough to look about. They were passing 
farms and trees and fields, and the air was 
damp and chill. Peace and the remnant of his 
weariness possessed him for an hour more, 
after which he had a sudden desire to be up 
and see what was happening. 

He sat up brightly and looked for old Ca- 
lamity. There on the seat sat the teamster, 
huddled down in a small, round - shouldered 
heap, fast asleep and holding to the reins only 
because they were wrapped about his wrists 
and could not fall. His horses were indo- 
lently following a wagon just ahead of their 
98 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 

noses, which, in its turn, was close behind an- 
other. 

The sun was shining as if intent to put a 
brand-new polish on the world. Fresh dew 
shone on the grass and flowers by the road. A 
hundred birds seemed anxious to tell all about 
it in song, as if it had never occurred before. 
But where the wagons were, or whither they 
were going. Tad could not for the life of him 
determine. As a matter of fact, he did not 
care. 

Bolling up the bed that he and Diogenes had 
used, he sat on the ropes and sacks, suppress- 
ing the boyish enthusiasm which would have 
prompted him to wake old Calamity and ask a 
thousand questions. He reflected that Calam- 
ity was tired. 

Calamity was. All those circus folks were 
tired. They hardly ever took a genuine night 
or day of rest. They were always going some- 
where else, or hastening through a performance 
to go, in order to arrive, pitch the tents, give 
their exhibition, and pack the wagons anew 
in time to get to another engagement and flnish 
there in time to make the locality beyond, from 
which they would have to hurry to the next. 
And all, like Calamity, slept whensoever they 
could. 


99 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


It was eight o’clock before the old soldier 
unbent. He did so then because his wagon 
halted, which ha^Dpened because all the wagons 
ahead had done likewise. There was a fine, 
large watering trough somewhere up beside the 
road, from which the teams were being refresh- 
ed. Rubbing his eyes and straightening up. 
Calamity turned about and looked at his pas- 
sengers. 

Hullo, comrade,” said he. I see you’re 
here all right, you and the dorg. Are we run- 
nin’ things to suit your idees ?” 

Yes, sir. Good -morning,” said Tad, while 
Diogenes looked up and barked his puppy salu- 
tation. Do you think we’ve come to the place 
we started for last night ?” 

“ Hope,” said Calamity. I don’t see no 
church steeples, and we never give a show 
where there ain’t no steeples, fer if people ain’t 
tired of goin’ to church they ain’t goin’ to go 
to no circus, and we ain’t never nowhere till we 
git to where we show. Don’t you want to come 
up here on the seat ?” 

Tad certainly did wish to do so. He and 
Diogenes were up there beside old Calamity in 
a jiffy. Then the wagon started along as be- 
fore, only to halt very soon, for the horses ahead 
were taking their turn at the wayside drink 
100 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


of water. Before the trough Tad^s teamster 
halted a few minutes later. Tad got down and 
assisted in watering the horses, for now that 
he really belonged to the circus he meant to 
help in every instance that was offered. 

Bor an hour after that all the wagons were 
in steady motion once more, and Tad and Ca- 
lamity talked. Tad was supposed to he driv- 
ing. He held the reins and the horses plodded 
mechanically along in the wake of the wagon 
ahead. Calamity held fast to Diogenes, who 
gnawed his two old horny hands unceasingly. 

Tad furnished the greater part of the con- 
versation, relating in his boyish way the sim- 
ple annals of his life. And he knew, as only a 
boy can know, what friends he and the bright- 
eyed old roustabout were about to become, with 
some sort of an unexplained bond between 
them. Their talk, however, was far from com- 
plete when the boy’s sharp gaze suddenly en- 
countered a steeple. 

It was half a mile or more away, down in a 
hollow, where the trees hid all the houses, but 
it marked the site of a village, and a village 
meant a halt and tremendous excitements. Tad 
asked questions so fast that, as Calamity said, 
they melted and ran all together. Bar ahead, 
at a bend of the road, he saw the two great 
101 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


elephants and the sun’s glint tossed from one 
of the gilded wagons. The distant shout of 
some enterprising boys who had met the circus 
coming into town came to the ears of the new 
young recruit to all those glories, and Tad 
could hardly restrain himself till those poor, 
unhappy outsiders should see him driving to 
their village as an integral part of the show. 
But he mentioned nothing of his feelings. He 
waited. 

The excitements were presently all his, in- 
deed. And pride was also his portion. De- 
spite the fact that he was hungry, homeless, 
barelegged, and merely a small and freckle- 
faced atom, he certainly excited the envy and 
wonder of half a hundred children, presently 
escorting this wagon, as they had the others, to 
the site whereon the circus-tents would rise. 

But once on the grounds, with confusion and 
almost herculean labors inaugurated with diz- 
zying alacrity, little Tad found his glory slip- 
ping from him in spite of all he could do. Ho 
tried his best to he of help in a dozen directions. 
He led a horse for Calamity for a distance of 
fully twenty feet ; he took off harness ; he help- 
ed the negro cook to take the stove and its 
family of sooted utensils from the wagon, hut 
no one seemed to recognize the fact that he 
102 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


really belonged to the circus. The cook, for 
instance, told him to git offen the earth !” 
Another of the teamsters ordered him away 
from the grain sacks very rudely indeed. 
There was soon not a thing about poor Tad to 
distinguish him from any other small and med- 
dlesome boy, constantly in somebody’s way. 

But he could not surrender for any mere dis- 
couragements. He had always been a helpful, 
willing boy, and now, inasmuch as he really 
did belong to the circus, he conceived it his 
duty to be busy and hustling. He made the 
mistake of believing that every one there was 
doing a little of everything. He did not see 
that certain men, or groups of men, were as- 
signed to certain tasks, at which they wrought 
till the work was done, then went at the next 
of their labors. 

Calamity was far too busy to give him direc- 
tions or even a word of cheer. In fact, the old 
teamster hardly dared to recognize his protege 
in the light of a circus employee, especially by 
day, for his molecule of authority was almost 
wholly nocturnal in its habits. 

Unfortunately for Tad, the things which he 
could have done to help were always just about 
completed by the time he saw his opportunities. 
The water he might have fetched for the cook 
8 103 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


was brought before he remembered that cooks 
required such an element. The pitchfork, to 
handle the hay, he quite overlooked till he saw 
a man come dragging it forth from the wagon. 

A dozen times he was ordered from the path 
of some busy individual. Twice he was knock- 
ed clean over by ropes that tripped up his feet. 
Diogenes was in his arms. This hampered his 
movements, and gave him quite an un-circus- 
man appearance. Bewildered by the marvel- 
lous rapidity with which things grew about him 
and Order wrought her miracles. Tad could only 
retreat, step by step, from the field of industry, 
ordered ofi to the right and off to the left, and 
off again from front and rear, till all hope of 
establishing his circus connection had fled. His 
heart by then was nearly breaking. 

The serving of the breakfast afforded him 
his final humiliation. Hot even old Calamity 
searched him out to ask him to sit at the board 
with the others who belonged with the show. 
Indeed, it was half an hour after every one had 
eaten, and the table had been cleaned of every- 
thing save its clusters of cruets and bottles, 
that Calamity found him by the horses’ shelter 
and slyly beckoned him in. There Tad dis- 
covered that the chuckling old rogue had fetch- 
ed a great big plateful of meat, potatoes, and 
104 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


biscuits for himself and the pup to eat. Two 
minutes later a world full of woe was disap- 
pearing with every new forkful of breakfast, 
no matter whether the said breakfast went 
into the empty cavities of the boy or young 
Diogenes. 

That whole long day was one of hopes de- 
ferred and tribulations realized. Beyond the 
very meagre help which Tad was permitted to 
furnish in and around the immediate vicinity 
of Calamity’s teams, he accomplished nothing, 
either to make himself a valued addition to the 
muster-roll of roustabouts or to win recognition 
as a boy apart from other boys, not in any man- 
ner to be thought an ordinary villager of the 
hamlet. 

To distinguish himself from the lads of the 
town, who followed the street parade all the 
way from circus-grounds through the highways 
and back to the tents. Tad remained strictly on 
duty near the hay and grain. Likewise, when 
he saw a village boy bringing water for the 
man to use in making lemonade, he did not 
leave his post. He knew that fellows who be- 
longed to the circus were all too busy to work 
like that for a free admission to the side-show. 
The sacrifices that he made, nevertheless, cost 
him many a pang. He saw no parade; then 
105 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


he missed the side - show entirely. Who was 
there he conld ask to let him in ? 

The morning went, and also noon. Calamity 
brought him some luncheon, just as he had 
provided the breakfast. Tad ate it, and was 
very glad of food, but — ^what of his heart ? He 
had thought that to travel along with the show 
and be part and parcel of its greatness would 
mean to see the performances as often as he 
liked, and to saunter in and out of the side- 
show quite at his will. But the show in the 
big tent came and went, with hordes of people 
trooping in and trooping out, while Tad and 
the pup stood silently by, such insignificant 
members of the busy circus family that no one 
knew they were there. 

I wouldn’t care if I could only see that 
educated dog again,” said the brave and un- 
complaining little chap to his pup. And I 
don’t believe he does a thing, Diogenes, that 
you couldn’t do if you tried.” 

In sheer despair of a single moment of 
greater happiness. Tad retired with his now 
very lively young companion to the rear of the 
horse-tent, where he worked for an hour to try 
to make Diogenes comprehend the importance 
of standing on his head. 


XII 


THE HORSE THAT KNEW A FRIEND 

EFORE the darkness descended on 
the circus-field, Tad had wandered 
over every inch of the ground no less 
than twenty times. He was study- 
ing every stake and rope in his 
keen, observant way, without even 
realizing it was study. His particular pur- 
pose was in the line of permitting certain law- 
less boys to discover that they were being watch- 
ed by a circus attache. 

Denied the privilege of witnessing the even- 
ing’s performance, the little fellow curled up 
at last on Calamity’s bed, thrown down beneath 
the wagon, and fell asleep. He was waked, 
however, by the first activities towards taking 
down the tents. This began while the show 
was still in progress in the ring. Tad was in- 
stantly up and atilt for chances to establish his 
usefulness. 

It was hard to keep Tad discouraged or idle. 

107 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


He secured Diogenes beside the wagon, darted 
out to the scene on the torch -lit field, and 
helped the men, whether they wished it or not. 
He knew where every coil of rope, and hammer, 
and crowbar was lying. He fetched things the 
moment they were mentioned. He knew the 
wagons by number, condition, and position. 
The things he could carry he took to their places 
with intelligence as nimble as his legs. And 
he kept out of every one’s way. His lesson 
of the morning had rankled all day in his 
breast. 

Presently one big, busy man laid a capturing 
hand on his shoulder, and turned him about 
to the light. 

Huh !” said he. Ain’t you the kid that 
was foolin’ ’round the side-show with a pup 
yesterday afternoon?” 

Tad looked up, but failed to recognize the 
tattooed man, with all these common-looking 
clothes upon his person. 

Yes, sir,” he answered. I — I belong to 

the circus.” 

’Phone me !” exclaimed the decorated man. 

Do you want to git tattooed ?” 

Tad knew him then, and appreciated a cer- 
tain sort of generosity in the man’s suggestion. 
But he shook his head. 

108 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


I — don^t think I do, thank yon,’’ he an- 
swered. Any way, not to-night.” 

All right. ^ Belong to the circus,’ ” repeat- 
ed the man. Well, come around and see me 
when you ain’t too busy.” And off he went. 

It was Tad’s first official recognition. He 
hardly knew what to do with his tidal wave 
of joy. To add to his happiness, limping old 
Calamity now approached and called him by 
name. 

You can help with the horses, comrade,” 
he said. Six or eight to be watered right 
away.” 

The horses were watered at a creek, not a 
hundred yards from the grounds. Tad knew 
the way, and he knew horses. Indeed, the 
sweet - tempered little fellow had a wonderful 
way with all animals, horses and dogs in par- 
ticular. Bejoicing in the privilege, he fiit- 
ted in and out of the horse -tent now, taking 
pair after pair of the animals down to the 
creek. 

The last horse left in the row was the vicious, 
vengeful creature, accustomed to an exchange 
of kicks whensoever some of the men approach- 
ed him. His name was Biff. Calamity had 
not intended that Tad should lead Biff to 
water, but Tad had found all the horses un- 
109 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


commonly thirsty, and Bitf was a horse, tied 
up and helpless. 

Back went the animal’s active ears the mo- 
ment the boy came towards him. Quivering 
with preparation to be the first to land a blow, 
should aggressiveness threaten. Biff watched 
the unsuspecting boy’s manoeuvres. 

Was the big feller thirsty?” Tad inquired, 
in honest solicitude, and to Biff’s astonishment 
he walked boldly in, patted one of the great, 
tense legs, almost as ready as a gun to fire, and 
passed to the halter-strap with some persuasive 
word of friendship. 

Biff let out a breath, pent up like force be- 
hind the kick he had intended. He smelled of 
the boy in a quick, brusque way. Then a calm 
came instantly upon him. For the first time in 
many weeks that horse felt almost happy — 
felt a something akin to companionship that no 
one, animal or man, had vouchsafed him here- 
tofore. He went to the creek because he liked 
the sensation of walking with Tad. He drank 
very slowly, a little at a time ; all the while the 
small hoy at his side was talking and patting 
his neck. Then hack to his bondage he re- 
turned, content, and was glad when Tad, at 
parting, gave him a pat on the thighs. 

Calamity stood as a man abruptly petrified 
110 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


when he saw at last what Tad had been doing. 
The old fellow was trembling with fear of what 
he had permitted in a moment of negligence. 
He was just about to call the hoy before him 
for a warning when a big - voiced boss ” 
abruptly shouted “ Calamity !’’ and oif he limp- 
ed to obey some gruff command. 

The show was out, the concert had come to 
an end, the day at that village was spent. The 
scenes that Tad had witnessed on the previous 
night were swiftly re-enacted. Half an hour 
later the last of the wagons was once more jolt- 
ing along the road, and Tad and Diogenes, 
rolled in Calamity’s blankets, were sleeping 
most profoundly. 

The two young adventurers had come 
through the first day, long as an age, and each 
had received a useful schooling. In the morn- 
ing Tad tied his pup to the wagon promptly 
on arrival of the circus at a new small village 
destination. The first thing he did, after help- 
ing to unhitch the horses, was to search out 
the nearest supply of good water and fetch half 
a tubful for the cook. 

The negro looked him over in amazement. 

Where’d you-all come f’um, hoy said he. 

Ain’t I seen yoh ’round befoh ?” 

^^Yep; I belong to the circus,” said Tad, 
in 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


with fresher confidence than the previous day 
had permitted. I joined the show at Ilor- 
nersville.’’ 

Is dat a fac’ V’ inquired the cook. Wal, 
say, if you doah’ look lak a boy what could wash 
circus dishes, den I ain’t a coolinarious artist — 
I ain’t nuffin’ but jest a plain, unspecial gent’- 
man.” 

Tad washed dishes that morning. And he 
ate with the cook. He was rapidly progressing 
towards the table. Moreover, this was his 
second official recognition. 

That day he proved his usefulness in many 
directions, especially in and about the circus 
kitchen. The cook, whose circus name was 
Pearl, was a mighty conversationalist. He said 
so himself. He answered a thousand of Tad’s 
eager questions — the majority of which con- 
cerned the educated dog, about which Pearl 
knew far less than did Tad himself — and he 
volunteered facts and fancies by the mile, all 
of them quite as entertainingly picturesque as 
they were inaccurate. 

In the afternoon, while the big ” perform- 
ance was in progress, the cook, the teamsters, 
and all who were temporarily unemployed, 
sought the shade under wagons or convenient 
trees, and caught what sleep they could hurried- 
112 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


ly snatch. Tad and Diogenes were almost 
alone on all that field outside the canvas arena. 
They were still too insignificantly connected 
with the show to enjoy the rights and liberties 
of which the ambitious Tad was constantly 
dreaming. 

Out behind the horse-tent proceeded the two 
small pilgrims, for an hour or more of their 
own unmatchable companionship. Once more 
Tad’s mind reverted to that educated dog, 
which in all this time he had seen but twice, 
and jealousy rose in his mind. 

Diogenes wanted to play. Instead, he was 
gently but firmly tumbled through every trick 
that Tad could remember having seen the cir- 
cus dog perform. Disposed to take it all as 
a joke, Diogenes growled his funny little chal- 
lenges and invitations to livelier antics, but he 
soon showed signs of comprehending, and pre- 
sented most comical figures in every attempt at 
being earnest. 

It was standing on his head that aroused 
pup’s ridicule and scorn. He said in a hundred 
puppy growls and accents that he greatly dis- 
approved of such a reversal of things sensible. 
What was he trying to see when he stood on his 
head, with his nose in the ground and the hair 
hanging down across his eyes? What was he 
113 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


doing with his two hind legs but wasting his 
energy, kicking at the air ? 

But Tad had decided the matter resolutely. 
He balanced poor Diogenes on his paws and 
nose in the most persistent manner. He told 
him the sooner he learned this diverting knack 
the better it would be for all concerned, since 
to be a mere pup, and not an educated artist, 
was commonplace and all but disgusting. Di- 
ogenes sighed, in puppy resignation, and pre- 
sently begged to play so engagingly that Tad 
wildly liugged him in afPection. 

How long the two remained there, rolling on 
the grass in the sun, neither Tad nor the pup 
could have told. It was finally Diogenes who 
espied a squirrel, frisking near by in curiosity 
to ascertain what this funny canvas city might 
imply. How long they were after that squirrel, 
to no avail, was likewise never a matter reck- 
oned by the pair. When at length they return- 
ed to the tents, however, the afternoon per- 
formance was ended, and some sort of row and 
trouble was in progress at the horse - shelter, 
just at the rear of the dressing-room tent, or 
the pad,” as Tad had heard it called. 

The boy walked briskly towards the centre 
of disturbance. He presently beheld and rec- 
ognized that same big, hoarse-voiced man called 
114 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Bill,” who had so roundly belabored old Ca- 
lamity with words on a former occasion. This 
man was in a rage concerning Biff, the vicious 
horse. Half a dozen cowed teamsters and roust- 
abouts were near him, all apparently ready and 
willing to slink from his presence at the small- 
est opportunity. Cursing them all, and raging 
every time he cast his eyes upon the nervous 
and dangerous animal before him in the tent, 
the man was pouring wrath and vituperation 
out upon Biff, whose detested spirit he declared 
he would yet subdue. 

1^11 kill him! ITl kill him, hut I’ll make 
that horse come down on his knees as humble 
as all you dogs !” he cried at the men. ^‘Where’s 
that sneaking old beggar. Calamity?” 

Hobody knew. Calamity had seen the 
trouble coming, and had quietly escaped. He 
was not at that moment more than twenty rods 
away, but his hiding-place was all unknown 
and quite secure for all his purposes. Mean- 
time Biff had been aggravated to a mood in 
which he was far more dangerous than an 
angry hull. He expected a fight, and was 
strung to the highest possible tension. All the 
evil of his tortured nature was surging in his 
blood. All the deeds of his past were in his 
memory. And once he had killed a man with 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


a blow of his foot; and once he had all but 
crippled this Bill who stood behind him 
now, vilely cursing and threatening. This af- 
ternoon — not five minutes since — the horse had 
bitten a ruffianly teamster whom Bill ” had 
ordered to fetch him from the tent. 

The animal was fairly quivering now with 
fear and hate for man, and a wish to kick or 
crush another of his enemies to death. He had 
come beneath this man’s jurisdiction a fright- 
ened, nervous animal, and a schooling of blows, 
abuse, and cruelty had made him in a year as 
vicious and ready to strike as a snake. 

At this particular moment he was trembling 
in a frenzy of fear and savage temper. His 
eyes were ablaze; his nostrils were redly di- 
lated. Every iron-clad hoof on which he stood 
was positively aching to fly in the face of any 
human torment who should dare provoke the 
lunge. 

Towards the angered horse and the angered 
man came Tad and his pup. One side of the 
pad-tent now was raised, and a woman’s face 
appeared. She had heard the angry utterances 
of the man outside, and she watched to see 
what would happen. In his boyish confidence. 
Tad stood near the roaring Bill,” who again 
demanded, Where’s Calamity ?” 

116 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Maybe I could find him for you/’ Tad 
suggested. 

The man turned a dark and scowling face 
upon the hoy. 

You said he, wrathfully, angrier still 
as he saw what a slip of a lad had dared to 
speak ; and who the devil are you 

I’m Tad,” replied the unabashed compan- 
ion of Diogenes, “ and I belong to the circus.” 

The woman in the dressing-tent summoned 
two other women to her side in one quick call 
of excitement. The clown, half-washed of his 
paint and cork, joined the women looking forth 
from beneath the wall of canvas. 

Bill ” was momentarily speechless. He 
glowered upon the little chap before him as the 
beanstalk giant might have glared at Jack. 

Who told you so ?” demanded the irate 
man. Who said you could go with the show ?” 

Calamity,” said Tad. Mr. Calamity told 
me I could belong.” 

Calamity ! — Mister Calamity, hey ? Did 
he ? And so you think you belong to the circus, 
do you ?” the man inquired with an ugly sneer, 
as he found his gaze met in a fearlessness hard 
to comprehend. Maybe you mean the circus 
belongs to you. Calamity, hey? Good enough! 
If you belong to the circus, you’ll find you may 
117 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


belong to me. What do you do for the grub 
you eat? Here!” he bawled, as he thought of 
a new piece of deviltry. All right, you be- 
long to the circus. Go in there and fetch out 
that horse!” 

He shook a wild, gesticulating fist at Biff. 

One of the women looking forth on the scene 
attempted to cry out a warning, a plea to the 
man to rescind this mad, perhaps even fatal 
command. She could only make a groan. She 
and the clown and the others were too horribly 
fascinated not to look. They could not turn 
away their eyes. 

The cowed teamsters, on whom Bill had 
showered hot abuse, moved but slightly, and 
murmured barely loud enough for each other 
to hear. 

Tad was not in the least alarmed. The horse 
and he were friends. You mean the big fel- 
low, Biff ?” said he. 

The man nodded. Had he not lacked the 
courage to recall his order he might have brush- 
ed the boy aside and bade him begone. As it 
was, the brute in him conquered. He did not 
care what happened to the boy. Tad went 
straight towards the waiting horse, who was 
squared and pivoted to leap and strike and kill. 
Diogenes ran before his master. 

118 






SUNNYSIDE TAD 


The men saw the big, malicious Biff catch 
a quick, hard breath. They saw the quaking 
of a muscle in his leg, that telegraphed its read- 
iness to act. The horse had slightly turned 
his head, and madness flamed in his eyes. He 
knew no friends. 

Then the pup went clumsily bounding up 
against the horse’s leg — his foreleg, just be- 
neath his nose — and the animal started as if a 
shot had struck him. 

Here, pup, you stop that ! Don’t you go 
a-scaring Biff,” said the boyish voice of Tad, 
and walking boldly to the disconcerted horse’s 
side he gave him a confident pat of friendliness 
on the rump, then rubbed his palm along the 
arched and sweating neck, and a moment later 
had his hand on Biff’s velvety nose. The horse 
could not move, except to tremble. 

Did you kind of like that pup ?” said Tad, 
and catching up Diogenes he held him where 
that small and enthusiastic friend of all things 
kind could put his paws on the great horse’s 
forehead and attempt to lap him on the eye. 

Had magic waved a wand of miracles, or 
the spirit of God, working through that child- 
ish hand, commanded, Peace — be still !” the 
horse could not more suddenly have softened. 
What it was that Tad’s mere touch accomplish- 
119 


9 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


ed neither he nor the horse could comprehend. 
Indeed, the little chap was innocent of all 
knowledge that what he had done could not 
have been done bj any one present at the time. 
He simply spoke to the very best nature of the 
animal, from the very best, most honest im- 
pulse of his heart — and therein lay all the text 
that Christ imparted — all the power and di- 
vinity of love. The horse was calmed and 
soothed and tamed; he knew he had a friend, 
if not a master. 

Diogenes was once more chasing about on 
the ground, and Tad led Biff joyously forth. 
Between the boy and animal had sprung a 
bond of understanding. And for men and all 
dumb brutes to read and comprehend. Tad bore 
upon his boyish face that sweet, irresistible 
translation of a loving heart — the plainly writ- 
ten sign of fellowship. 

The men were white. The women and the 
clown, still staring from the pad, were paler 
yet of countenance. The big man, Bill,’^ 
wiped streaming perspiration from his brow. 

All right,’’ he said, hoarsely. Take him 
to water. Then put him back. That’s all.” 

He turned and walked away. It was Tad’s 
third recognition. 


XIII 


A LEMONADE PROMOTION 

X the world of tales it’s a very lame 
tale that has no legs with which to 
travel. The story of Tad and Biff 
seemed to borrow legs from the boy 
and yonng Diogenes as well, so rap- 
idly around the circus - grounds did 
it go. It brought a smile and it fetched a tear, 
for the circus folk, animals and all, were as one 
large family, forever ready with joke or sym- 
pathy, admiration or a scolding, applause or 
little jealousies. 

The only being among them all not glad and 
rejoicing with sturdy and handsome little Tad 
was the big, surly Bill.” Moreover, such a 
man of power was he that no one dared to 
speak in his presence of what the boy had done. 
Indeed, though the women performers, the 
clown, the freaks, and even the roustabouts 
exulted in what was conceived to be Tad’s un- 
exampled triumph over Bill,” yet none had 
121 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


the hardihood to tempt Bill’s ” anger by giv- 
ing the tale much importance. 

One of the women who had witnessed the 
scene from the flap of the dressing-tent was a 
rider and an acrobat of skill. She was like- 
wise a woman of resources, such as it certainly 
behooved a circus artiste to possess. Lastly 
and luckily, so she declared, she was the wife of 
the man who concocted and vended lemonade. 

To this worthy man of hers she repaired 
somewhat promptly, after changing her gar- 
ments and washing her face. She told of all 
she had heard and seen, and wound up her tale 
with a flourish. 

Tom, do you git an ideer ?” she inquired. 
“ Don’t your head git a little ideer ?” 

You bet !” said Tom. I’ve got an ideer 
that I seen that kid before — a kid with a pup. 
And a kid like him, with nerve enough to tackle 
Biff and Bill, might have the nerve to go in- 
side and peddle lemonade.” 

That’s you, Tom !” said the lady rider, 
proudly. That’s my man with a head that ain’t 
on his heels ! I thought you’d strike it same as 
me, Tom — ^you with your head up on top !” 

Yep, my head’s up on top,” assented Tom, 
and we’re both of us right, but don’t say 
nuthin’ about it for a day or two, and see how 
122 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Bill swallers the kid. He may kick him out, 
and he may leave him stay. Just lay low, and 
leave me watch the game.” 

The lady did lay low.” Hot a word was 
said to any one about the lemonade. Tad was 
not approached. Bill, however, was observed by 
two most attentive pairs of eyes. But his moods 
were quite inscrutable. Had Tad been utterly 
forgotten, the man could hardly have ignored 
him more thoroughly. As a matter of fact, Tad 
saw no more of the man, in ahy capacity. If, 
on the other hand, the man kept watch of the 
boy, there was no one so sharp as to catch him 
in the act. 

During that evening and night, and the fol- 
lowing day, Tad was never made aware that 
unseen, unsuspected fates were weaving their 
plans and webs about his life. He simply went 
on being more persistently helpful than before, 
in extended directions. He was growing accus- 
tomed to the circus manoeuvres — at least, out- 
side the tents — and his somewhat precarious 
hold upon the place he occupied was strengthen- 
-ed. By common consent among the teamsters. 
Biff had become Tad’s particular property and 
care. The boy was not even warned that the 
horse was mean. It seemed very natural that 
his confidence should be left quite undisturbed. 

123 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Limping old Calamity, by every right in the 
calendar, was proud of his boy, and proudest 
of all of the friendship vouchsafed him by the 
homeless little chap. And a purer, sweeter 
friendship and affection than Tad’s for his 
foster-protector need never be sought for in the 
world. 

In addition to Calamity, Tad could claim 
two more adherents to his cause. One was 
Pearl, the negro cook; the other the tattooed 
side-show man, who openly bragged that he and 
the boy had struck up a friendship back in 
Hornersville, before Tad joined the show. 

This was a Saturday afternoon. The village 
at which the circus had halted was small, the 
audience was slender. The sky was overcast 
with clouds. A spirit of gloom attacked not a 
few in the circus fold, for business had been 
anything but brisk for nearly a month — which, 
of course, was quite unknown to Tad. The one 
still buoyantly hopeful performer in the pad 
was the lady artist whose husband sold the 
lemonade. She had made up her mind that 
Bill ” intended no hostilities towards the 
boy. 

Promptly prepared against the moment, the 
lady rider left the grounds immediately after 
the afternoon’s performance, and walked to the 
124 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


village store. There she bought a small pair 
of trousers, a shirt, some serviceable shoes, and 
a nice, stout pair of stockings. Bare legs and 
pink lemonade, she concluded, would make no 
happy combination. She returned in triumph 
with her bundle, summoned her husband, and 
bade him summon their boy. 

Tom scratched his head, and looked at the 
things she had purchased. 

“ I guess it’s goin’ to work,” he said ; but 
s’pose I go talk with the kid 

Fetch him in here, and we’ll all talk it over 
together,” said his wife. I’m a pretty good 
talker myself.” 

Her husband lifted the wall of the tent and 
looked about. Tad was not in sight. But he 
presently appeared, leading Biff to the shelter 
from a long walk down to a trough where the 
horses were watered. 

Hey, you. Bub !” called the man, the mo- 
ment Tad came forth after tying his horse. 

Come over here a minute, right away.” 

Tad, of course, had Diogenes along for com- 
pany. The pup was attempting to root in un- 
der his young master’s heels just the moment 
Tad came to a halt. Tad caught him up and 
came towards the man, whom he recognized at 


once. 


125 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Want me he inquired, halting near the 
pad. Did you call for me to come 

Yep, I reckon I did,’’ replied the man of 
lemonade. Come in here. My wife wants 
to see you fer a talk.” 

Tad ducked in under the held-up canvas, and 
found himself in that region of mysteries and 
wonders towards which his fancies and longings 
had tended for days. 

Such a place as it was ! Rifled trunks, stand- 
ing open, their contents half in and half out, 
or strewn in every direction, were everywhere. 
Pink tights, shapeless and wrinkled, with span- 
gled skirts, sashes, bodices and harness ” of 
unguessed utility, littered every available inch 
of space with the gaudiest splashes of color. 
Drums, hoops, and paraphernalia needed in the 
ring, with apparatus, costumes worn by the 
clown, and beds, and partitions of canvas — all 
this and more seemed flung in broadcast to com- 
plete a picture of utter confusion. Tad stared 
about him in bewilderment and awe. Diogenes 
was in his element. ^Vhat a place for a pup 
to turn himself loose for fifteen glorious min- 
utes! He struggled to get to the ground and 
make a start. Instinctively Tad held him the 
tighter. Then he looked at the lady whose wit 
it was which had made this moment possible. 

126 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


How do you do she said. You’re the 
Tad that belongs to the circus 

Yes, ma’am. I’m pretty well, thank you,” 
said Tad. Are you pretty well ?” 

Middlin’,” said the lady rider. You can 
call me Mrs. Watt.” On the bills she was 
Mile. Arielle,” with which name Tad was far 
more familiar. And, Tad,” she continued, 
me and Mr. Watt thinks you’re a real nice 
boy, and we’re goin’ to let you sell lemonade 
in the tent — ^^vhile the show is goin’ on.” 

Sell lemonade ? You mean, to be right 
smack inside all the time and sell lemonade 
while the circus is playing?” said the wholly 
incredulous boy. And see things all I want ?” 

Yep, see things all you want,” repeated 
Mr. Watt. And have all the lemonade you 
kin drink, to boot.” 

And I’ve got you some nice new clothes to 
wear,” added Mile. Arielle, engagingly. And 
when you start, day after to-morrow — ” 

Couldn’t I start in to-morrow ?” interrupt- 
ed Tad, eagerly. The sooner I start in the 
sooner I’ll know how to do it.” 

To-morrow’s Sunday, and there ain’t no 
show,” imparted Tom. That’s just the kind 
of luck we git in this country once a week!” 

Ho, you can’t begin till Monday,” supple- 
127 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


mented the lady performer. And you’d bet- 
ter go in swiinmin’ to-morrow and git all nice 
and clean. That’s all. Now we’ll let you go 
out. And don’t forgit. And good-bye, Tad; 
you and me is goin’ to be friends.” 

She held forth her hand impulsively and 
honestly. Tad had won his way to her gener- 
ous heart with one bright, boyish smile. 

Oh, I’m awful glad, Mrs. Watt,” he said. 

Good-bye, and I hope you’ll keep real well.” 

He was turning to go when his eyes abrupt- 
ly encountered a sight that made them big 
with excitement and wonder. It was Solon, 
the educated dog, that he saw — for the lonely, 
guarded animal, carefully housed in this pri- 
vate place, had roused from his bed at the 
sound of a voice so winning as Tad’s, and was 
longingly gazing at the boy who held Diogenes 
against his heart. 

Oh !” was all that Tad could say. He said 
it in a low, soft way of admiration, love, and 
fellowship. Before either Tom or his wife 
could interpose, the boy had darted from the 
place. He ran to Solon joyously, and throw- 
ing himself on his knees gave the dog a hug in 
which Diogenes was hopelessly entangled. 

It lasted only a second. The lemonade-man 
was swiftly there to tell Tad that ^^Bill” 
128 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


would be mad enough to kill him should this 
sight he revealed to his eyes. But just for that 
one tremendous second, the unpetted dog, the 
pup and the boy, those three children of honest 
emotions, were inconceivably happy. 

Tad went out of the pad in a state of ex- 
citement such as he had scarcely ever known in 
his life. ISTot even the fairies themselves, with 
the sweetest queen ever imagined, could have 
granted him favors more entrancing. He hard- 
ly knew how he should wait. 

He was full of it all to tell to old Calamity. 
When he came to the wagons and shelter, how- 
ever, there were active preparations going for- 
ward for a storm. A few drops of rain were 
falling then. 

Half an hour later a misty, wretched drizzle 
was in progress. Extra canvas was swiftly in 
requisition. After supper the rain was increas- 
ing. It began to descend in a steady, uncom- 
promising way that made of the grounds one 
sodden camp of gloom. There could be no 
show, for nobody, save a few small boys, even 
ventured to approach the place. The whole 
thing came as a hardship, disheartening for 
every one to bear. 

What became of the artists and managers. 
Tad was not aware. He only knew that he was 
129 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


snug and happy enough in the covered bed 
which limping old Calamity prepared quite 
early with the greatest concern. He was tucked 
away for the night, with his pup, when he sud- 
denly got an idea. Up he got to pull on his 
trousers. 

The rain was pouring steadily, and dripping 
from everything around. Tad, in his toughen- 
ed bare feet, went paddling at a lively gait 
across the grounds towards a flaring torch, 
where Mr. Watts, of the pink lemonade, was 
growlingly closing in his stand. 

Hullo,” said the hoy. I wanted to ask 
you, Mr. Watts, if I could borrow my lemonade 
clothes to-morrow morning? I’m sure I saw 
a steeple here, and I’d like to go to church?” 

Go to church?” repeated Mr. Watts. 

Ain’t you got your wash to do to - morrow ? 
Go to church ? Well — the funny ones ain’t all 
dead yet. Go, if you want to, and wear the 
duds. And, say, there’s a lady may want to 
go along. She likes to go to church, and you 
can he her beau.” 

Tad went back to his bed in great content. 

The morning broke as clear as dew. The cir- 
cus people slept and slept, and the men, when 
they finally waked, did their laundry work at 
the river. 


130 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Tad was permitted to don his precious new 
raiment in the pad. Then, when he was ready, 
he was taken by Mile. Arielle to meet the lady 
who, like himself, had a fondness for church. 

It was Miss Dupois, to whom he was present- 
ed. She was the fat lady, the mountainously 
fat lady of the side-show. She took Tad’s hand 
very sweetly in her own, and away they went 
together — friends from that moment hence- 
forth. 


XIV 

A MAYOR GIVES A DANCE 

HAT same Sunday evening the cir- 
cus moved on its way. The day had 
been welcomed as a time for rest, 
repairs, and renovations by every one 
connected with the show. Moreover, 
the packing and moving were accom- 
plished in leisure and quiet, refreshing to all 
after six mad days of haste. 

At six o’clock on Monday morning the vil- 
lage of Piketon was honored by the presence 
of the monster aggregation.” Even Bill,” 
the distempered, was pleased by the size and 
promise of the place. Piketon was more than 
a village. It contained no less than three 
thousand souls, and had recently been chartered 
as a city. It possessed a brand-new mayor, 
who was deacon of one of the churches, a man 
with the strictest of notions of corporation dig- 
nities and civic decorum. All of this was un- 
known to the people of the show* 

132 



SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Preparations went forward that morning 
with cheerfulness and vigor. It seemed to Tad 
and young Diogenes that every one was par- 
ticularly gay. To the boy, in fact, the gloomi- 
est outlook would have shown only colors of 
the rose. He was fairly tingling with glad- 
ness ; and he was crazy for the hour to come that 
would -find him actually employed within the 
tent, selling the pink lemonade. 

How for two whole weeks the town and vi- 
cinity of Piketon had been blazoned with post- 
ers of the circus. Elephants, camels, rhinos- 
ceros, educated dogs, performers, clo^vns, and 
all had been made familiar to every man, 
woman, and child for miles about. The boys 
had been preparing for it all with sleepless 
energy. Ho one had dreamed of a shadow 
in the path; no one thought of a cloud with- 
in the sky. Indeed, all Piketon and neigh- 
borhood had quite forgotten, on quite over- 
looked, the fact that the place was a city with 
a mayor. 

Far back in his office, however, the mayor 
had waited and brooded. He, too, as well as 
the boys, knew every line of those poster an- 
nouncements; and he knew of something else 
which the youngsters were denied. 

Hearly every boy in town was on the circus- 
133 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


grounds by eight o’clock or earlier. They were 
eager for things to begin. At nine the pink 
lemonade was in readiness for sale, and Tad 
had a fear it would all be consumed, leaving 
nothing at all for him to peddle when the show 
should be opened at two. He was busied, how- 
ever, helping harness the horses for the all- 
enticing parade. 

Then the mayor made a move. He selected 
a very insignificant-appearing booklet from a 
number on his desk, locked his office, and start- 
ed for the show. Before him on the street 
strode a tall and angular woman, plainly from 
a farm, whose one idea and purpose in life was 
to see all she could of that circus. Behind the 
mayor came a youth in the garb of a soldier, 
leading a dog. He belonged to the regular 
army, and was home for a couple of weeks. 
The animal he had on the end of a string was 
a bulldog, positively hideous to see. He was 
fearfully broad across the front, and fearfully 
bowed as to legs; yet in these respects was 
beautiful when his face had once been encoun- 
tered. Such a marvellously outrageous face 
is rarely seen. His nose was black, his eyes 
were small, his jaw was huge, and his lips, 
pushed back, revealed gums and teeth and 
tongue till his aspect would have shamed the 
134 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

most atrociously formidable dragon in all the 
world. 

This dog and his master were certainly in a 
hurry to come to the field of tents. The mayor 
was no less impatient, while the farmer^s wife, 
ahead of them all, was not to be soon overtaken. 
It happened thus that the tall and angular 
woman arrived first on the scene, with the 
mayor and the soldier close behind her. 

The woman was halted by the wondrous 
sights when she came near the stand of lemon- 
ade, for here was a crowd. The mayor, the 
soldier, and the bulldog likewise found the 
human barrier of boys temporarily impassable. 
Then along came Tad and young Diogenes to 
watch that lemonade. 

Then things happened. The bulldog clapped 
his two small eyes on the frisky pup, and made 
a bound. He broke the cord by which the 
soldier held him, let out a mighty roar of pug- 
nacity, and made a rush to eat Diogenes right 
on the spot. 

Diogenes saw him coming. Indeed, every- 
body saw him coming. Diogenes made a mad, 
blind dive for the farmer^s wife — and the bull- 
dog gave pursuit. 

Hi !” yelled the mayor. 

Murder screamed the woman. She 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


suatched up her dress, and leaped straight up 
in the air. Diogenes went under. The bull- 
dog went around. Straight for the mayor ran 
the pup. 

Hi 1” he shrilled, and up he leaped in the 
air, while Diogenes and bulldog both shot 
fiercely under and through. 

Diogenes turned. Every one turned, includ- 
ing the mayor. Back came the pup, directly 
for the father of the city. Once more the long- 
faced man shot up, and this time lost his hat. 
‘^Hi!’’ he yelled, as he had before. He must 
have seemed quite high enough for the dogs, 
for under him both of them scuttled, making 
directly for the horrified farmer’s wife, who 
once again yelled Murder !” as she bounded 
quite up in the air. 

Diogenes began to bark. He thought that 
the bulldog must be playful. Bound he darted 
in a circling course, and up jumped the mayor 
as he had before. Darting for the woman, 
swerving for the mayor, round and round went 
the lively pup, with the hideous bulldog close 
at his heels, and right up straight leaped farm- 
er’s wife and the hatless man, yelling faintly 
and yet more faintly in their panic. 

The soldier bawled and ran for his dog. Tad 
was as nimbly chasing Diogenes, in an effort to 
136 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


save his precious life. The lemonade-man and 
the visiting boys all shouted and tried to assist. 
But three more times the mayor leaped awk- 
wardly up like a jack-in-the-box, for the dogs 
to scoot beneath his wildly outflung feet, before 
Diogenes thought of something new. Then he 
made a leap for the stand of lemonade, knocked 
thirteen glasses endways in his flight,^ and land- 
ed plump in the tubful, just inside. 

Tad was almost instantly there to drag him 
forth. The lemonade, he saw at a glance, was 
hardly hurt a bit. The bulldog, baffled at the 
thought of such a leap, stood gazing up, bewil- 
dered — and the soldier fell upon him. 

He ain’t got a tooth in his head,” said he. 

He’s so old he can’t chew up his milk. He 
wouldn’t a-hurt a flea on the pup, and was doin’ 
his stunt fer fun.” 

But the mayor, the lemonade-man, and the 
farmer’s wife were indignant. And this was 
too bad, since the mayor had come there quite 
sufficiently prepared to be disagreeable before 
all this very unfortunate pup-chase occurred. 
He glared in rage at the soldier, hoy, and tooth- 
less monster at his side. 

I’ll have an ordinance for this !” he cried. 

Such a shameful exhibition !” He took up 
his hat, mopped the bald place back of his fore- 
137 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


head, and strode around the stand, but the 
farmer’s wife smartly plucked him by the 
sleeve. 

Can’t we arrest ’em ? Can’t we have the 
law ?” she demanded. You and me dancin’ 
like that!” 

I’m busy, madam — I’m busy,” answered 
the mayor, in haste. And I never, never 
danced in my life !” 

He was angry and warm. He beheld the big 
man. Bill, directing affairs for the street pa- 
rade, which must soon be making its start. A 
moment later he had quite arrested Bill’s at- 
tention. 

If you, sir, claim authority concerning this 
— what-you-may-call-it — this enterprise, let us 
say,” said he, I have come to inform you 
there can he no street parade in our city — ^to- 
day, sir, at ten, or at any other time, present or 
future.” 

Bill looked him over in a calm that certain 
employees near would not have expected. 

‘^And who are you, if I may ask?” he re- 
plied, judicially. 

You will find, sir, I’m the mayor of the 
town — this city. I’m the mayor of Piketon, 
and I’ll quote the by-laws, my authority — 
written by myself, and expressly provided 
138 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

to prevent parades, which are printed on 
page — ’’ 

^^Do you mean to say there’s a law here 
forbiddin’ parades ?” interrupted Bill. “ Don’t 
you know, man, we’ve announced to parade, 
the same as everywhere ? Don’t you know the 
parade’s our best advertisement, and the regular 
thing with every show ?” 

I am, and have been, quite aware of all 
you say,” replied the mayor, triumphantly. 
^^But in Piketon, sir, your circuses will not 
parade again. It’s demoralizing — demoralizes 
children and some few adults — excites the 
horses, disturbs the peace. Parades are relics 
of barbarism. They are pagan, sir, absolutely 
pagan. I have brought them to an end, sir, in 
our fair city. If you wish me to read you 
the law — ” 

You needn’t read me the law, ner riot act, 
neither,” interrupted Bill, with a wave of his 
hand. If I’d known it — Rotten, little, nar- 
row-minded — Look here, ’spose I should give 
you fifty free admissions fer the kids of the 
town — the orphans — let in all of the orphans 
fer nuthin’ ?” 

Don’t you dare, sir !” cried the mayor, 
aghast and white with indignation. Don’t 
you dare attempt to bribe me, sir, in any such 
139 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


shameless, diabolical manner! What do you 
mean, sir? Insult! Insult and infamy! 
Don’t you speak to me again. And don’t you 
attempt this parade if you value the freedom 
of yourself or your associates. And as for your 
performance — if only I could stop that also 
with a by-law — ” 

Boys,” said Bill, turning from the man to 
a group of employees, take off the harness. 
We don’t parade to-day — the town’s got a circus 
fer a mayor.” 


XV 


A SOLEMN AND WONDERFUL PARADE 

ILL walked away, more heartsick 
than angered, since he knew, as a 
few others also knew, what a very 
hard struggle the circus was having 
to keep above water at all. On a 
box near one of the tents he sat, 
and sent off a man to find his associates in au- 
thority. The mayor departed, a victor. The 
horses were stripped of their harness. Word 
went ’round that for the very first time in the 
annals of the show there would he no parade 
in the streets. The ringmaster, one of the 
acrobats, and the man who sold the tickets came 
to where Bill w^as sitting, presently, and heard 
him assure them that the utterly ridiculous ru- 
mor was quite too true. They were all con- 
cerned in the show as proprietors. The news 
affected all alike — ^with gloom. 

At a quarter to ten a man arrived on the 
grounds in a dustv, light-wheeled buggy that 
141 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


bore every evidence of constant use. The man 
himself was a small individual, lively, talka- 
tive, quick of wit, and equally quick of re- 
source. It was he, indeed, who preceded the 
show from town to town, arranged for dates, 
selected grounds, had the country plastered 
with posters, and otherwise conducted advance 
affairs, without which the circus would have 
failed. Business had brought him here to-day 
when he should have been two hundred miles 
or more away, making ready for two weeks 
ahead. 

He espied the conclave of owners, and like- 
wise comprehended a quite unaccountable leth- 
argy about the grounds all at once. Leaping 
from his buggy, he made at once for the group 
of men most involved in the morning’s di- 
lemma. 

Hello, there, how are you — what’s the 
matter with the gang?” he began in a rapid 
flow of talk. ‘^Hobody dead, is there? Say 
— got the blues ? You didn’t expect me. Had 
to come in. Posters all out, and I’m offered a 
bunch that Wallace’s show had left when they 
went up the spout. Too many lions and tigers 
and hippopotamuses lithographed for us, but 
thought perhaps we could make ’em do at the 
bargain price, and came right in to git the word 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


to close the deal and — Well, what’s the mat- 
ter with all you fellers, anyhow? Town gone 
wrong? iJTice little town. I lived here once 
for eighteen months. Know every man and 
nigger in the town. What’s the trouble with 
Maria ?” 

Can’t you see ?” said Bill. Ko parade. 
The law’s been read by the mayor of the town, 
and he won’t let us give the parade.” 

What ?” demanded the travelling agent, 
snatching off his hat and mopping his brow. 

Piketon ? Where I lived for eighteen — Ko 
parade ? Kew law — and a mayor ? They 
didn’t have a mayor here when I was in the 
town. Say, I’ll mosey up and see that man 
myself. I’ll bet I know him ! Know them all. 
I’ll bet I’ll fix that law O. K. I’ll bet — Say, 
you leave it to me !” 

To think with that agent was to act. He al- 
most ran to his buggy, and up to the town he 
drove in the hottest of time. Meanwhile, the 
showmen left behind had no great hopes of 
what he could do. The agent had heretofore 
been thought a man of many words — such as 
behooved an advance ” — but not of many 
actions which could count. The morning, 
which had seemed so fair, was lifeless, after 
all. On all the circus - field the gloom was 
143 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

deep — except in the breast of Tad and young 
Diogenes. 

Despite the fact that Mr. Watt was storming 
still, even since banishing the soldier and the 
bulldog from the place, Tad was none the less 
excited and hopeful. He had seen the supply 
of red lemonade augmented by a liberal addi- 
tion of water, so that even that portion over- 
thrown and splashed from the tub by the pup 
could never be missed, and fears of a famine in 
this direction had been thoroughly allayed. He 
was aching now to put on his lemonade 
clothes,’’ and begin on his newest career. 

It was quarter after ten, with the blues fast 
thickening, when that small and lively agent, 
in the dusty rig, reappeared. He was beaming. 

Bill and the others were watching and wait- 
ing. They beckoned him quickly to the tent. 

Say ! — don’t say a word — don’t utter a 
word !” he exploded, excitedly. I saw him. 
Don’t know him. Didn’t tell him my business. 
What’s the use? — a man with a head on him 
long as an axe ? Called myself a life-insurance 
agent, then got out and hit the pike. Got out 
to think. Thinker needed oil. Then I ran 
against a nigger friend of mine from up the 
town. Kemember me? You bet! Didn’t I 
bury his wife in style one year, and git all the 
144 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


negro votes to put in my man for justice of the 
peace? Know me? Say! And what do you 
think ? Another good old nigger dead in Pike- 
ton! Keal sorry. Good old nigger. JSTow, I 
fixed the whole thing up in just seven minutes 
after gittin’ to the house where poor old Mam- 
my Johnson is grievin’. I told her I could 
give her man a funeral that would simply skin 
anything that ever hit the town — and fourteen 
tickets to the show, besides. That’s one for her- 
self, and one apiece for the thirteen children. 
Got thirteen. Regular hoodoo number, thir- 
teen! I told her we’d give her music, and a 
golden chariot, and she can ride in the band- 
Avagon, right up front, and I’ll drive it myself. 
And there you are. All you’ve got to do is to 
hitch up the wagons, start her off, and remem- 
ber the fourteen tickets to the show.” 

To say that Bill and his partners listened in 
sheer astonishment and incredulity would be 
the greatest mildness possible. They Avere 
nearly made speechless by this long, half-intel- 
ligible burst of eloquence, the entire import of 
which was not yet absolutely clear to their Avits. 

Fourteen tickets ? Thirteen children ?” 
echoed Bill. But, Hickey, what’s that go to 
do with us — with the street parade you AA^ent 
aAvay to fix ?” 


145 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Fixed, ain’t it ? Fixed ? Why, what do 
you want demanded the agent, excitedly. 

Ain’t I going to bury old man J ohnson ? 
Ain’t he right near by ? Don’t the funeral pro- 
cession go all ’round the town, with the brass 
band a-playin’, and every bloomin’ man and 
horse and elephant we’ve got doin’ pall-bearers’ 
stunt right behind? Fixed? You bet it’s 
fixed! Just gimme the fourteen tickets, and 
hitch up the rigs, and we’ll git things to mov- 
ing in less than half an hour !” 

Yes,” said Bill ; but will it work ?” 

We can’t do no less than to try,” said the 
ticket-seller, glad of any ray of hope. I’ll git 
you the tickets right away. How many was it 
— nineteen children, did you say ? Why didn’t 
she start a tOAvn of her own ?” 

Fourteen tickets. Don’t cast any slighting 
remarks,” said Hickey, earnestly. Fine, re- 
spectable old darky woman — knows a good 
proposition when she hears it. Bemembers me 
as if I was still here raisin’ chickens. Thirteen 
children. And git a move on us now to start 
the fight. It’s going to be eleven, the best we 
can do.” 

Out of the tent he hastened, and after him 
hurried the others. In less than five minutes 
a wave of activity swept that tented field with 
146 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


results that were fairly transforming. Men, 
animals, even the wagons seemed endowed with 
new-made life, so eager were all to participate 
in anything that would circumvent the orders 
of the mayor of Piketon. 

The great gilded band chariot, dusted off by 
the lively “ advance ” man himself, was ready 
first of all. The men, with their dusty old 
coats of red and their battered instruments, 
mounted to their places. Hickey had climbed 
to the driver’s seat before them. A smaller 
wagon, for a hearse, was pronounced in readi- 
ness, and in silence the two gaudy cars drove 
' away to the home of the widow and children. 

Preparations on the circus-grounds had gone 
very rapidly forward. Men, wagons, horses, 
elephants, and ape — all the usual accessories of 
the street parade were in line. Then back came 
the radiant Hickey, to head the van. 

Bill and his partners gazed in awe at what 
they beheld. There on the seat at Hickey’s side 
sat the most amazing spectacle of grief imag- 
inable. It was Mrs. Johnson, black as a hat, 
two hundred pounds in weight, and dressed in 
the yellowest, the reddest, and the greenest 
skirt, sash, and hat that extravagance ever 
produced. She was simply a sight, a sight to 
make the band and gilded chariot look pale, 
147 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


weak, and puny as a setting. x\nd as if the 
needs of grief or art were not to be satisfied 
with this, the thirteen little Johnsons, too, were 
there, sandwiched in between the members of 
the band, and strung like black rosettes along 
the edges of the car, each and every one togged 
out with the reds and greens of mourning. 

Hickey took up the lead. The gilded wagon 
that bore the remains of poor Mr. Johnson, 
deceased, fell in behind. The band, at a sig- 
nal from Hickey, struck up its liveliest strain. 
Mrs. Johnson had expressed a wish for regu- 
lar, high-soundin’ music.” 

Back of the hearse came shackled Hamm, 
the elephant, and back of him came his mate. 
The features,” indeed, were strung out most 
impressively. The boys all yelled in excep- 
tional glee; the horses took on the excitement. 
Away went the glittering spectacle,” and 
Piketon heard the sound. A happier widow 
than Mrs. Johnson could not have been found 
in all the world. 

In the natural pride which he took in his 
recent achievement, the mayor had taken much 
pains to let it be known that the advertised 
pageant would not parade. Ill tidings have a 
way of spreading rapidly. A thousand disap- 
pointed folk had felt themselves to be cheated, 
148 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


the children more than any. What the music 
could mean was therefore more than any one 
could tell. The people trooped from their 
houses as if the very Piper of Hamelin had 
been at the doors with his tunes. 

If the citizens and children were astonished 
after what they had heard, however, what shall 
be said of the mayor? He refused to believe 
his very ears, even as the blasts and gusts of 
high-sounding music came nearer and nearer to 
his door. 

Hickey was purposely driving straight upon 
the stronghold of the city^s dignity. He meant 
to have it over then and there. When the yells 
of delighted children pierced the air of his 
sanctum the mayor knew that he could not 
longer ignore the fact that something was amiss. 
Before he ran down to the street he paused to 
glance from his window. 

The parade had dared to move, after all, 
through the streets of his sacred little city! 
In a towering rage, the man sped down to the 
street and beheld the thing, in all its enor- 
mity, almost upon him. Out to the middle of 
the road he leaped like one possessed. He 
waved his arms in frantic gesticulations to halt 
Ihe golden car. The band drowned out his 
furious cries, but Hickey stopped the band. 

149 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


He likewise halted his horses, aud thereby all 
that came behind. 

How dare you, sir — how dare you 
shrieked the mayor, beside himself with wrath. 
“ Didn’t I strictly forbid this exhibition ? And 
you shall stop, right where you are ? Stop, sir, 
"fetop and cease this degrading spectacle, this 
insult to our peace! In the name of the law 
— the by-law — I forbid you, sir — ^you shall 
have no circus parade 1” 

Say, friend,” yelled Hickey, in a high and 
piercing voice, don’t monkey with the band- 
wagon ! Git next to yourself, and take off your 
hat in the presence of solemnity. This, my 
friend, ain’t no circus parade. It’s a funeral. 
You’re committing the grossest kind of sacri- 
lege. This is old Ned Johnson’s funeral — so 
git yourself out of the way.” 

He waved to the band. A mighty blast of 
music made response. The horses strained in 
their harness, the boys all yelled triumphantly, 
and on went the funeral, from the juggernaut 
course of which the suddenly baffled and de- 
rided mayor was obliged to skip for his life. 

Oh, Lord !” cried out the widow, rising 
abruptly, in an ecstasy not to be contained — 
oh. Lord ! you-all is sure to take ole J ohnson 
now when he come in blazes ob fflory !” 

150 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


On went the solemn cortege, careful to slight 
no street of importance in all that gladdened 
town. And at last it came to the green little 
burial-ground, or the corner thereof allotted to 
the colored folk who chanced to pass away, and 
here, in genuine solemnity, the casket was low- 
ered to the earth. 

xz 


XVI 


TAD’S INITIATION 

HE hordes that flocked to the tents 
that afternoon were enormous. There 
had never, in all Piketon’s history, 
been such a funeral or pageant in 
the streets ; there had never been 
anything so kind and touching as 
this thoughtfulness towards a poor old col- 
ored woman, sadly bereaved, and the town 
rose in warm appreciation. Such, at least, was 
the explanation given by men to their wives, 
and women to their neighbors, and the old to 
the young. Everybody came. Parents even 
ignored the old, time-worn excuse that they had 
to go to take the children. The mayor, how- 
ever, did not attend the performance. He was 
a busy man — busy explaining how it happened. 

When all the sum of exultation was meas- 
ured, Tad was the most delighted being in any 
way connected with the show. To begin with, 
lie had dined with no less a person than Mile. 

152 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Arielle herself, at the very first table, where the 
artists and persons of importance had their 
seats; and then, a full hour before the show 
began, he dressed in his lemonade clothes and 
took instructions from the Watts. 

You want to remember your job,’’ said 
Tom, for the fourteenth time. Your business 
is to sell the stuff, and not to be rubb’rin’ the 
show. Just sing out: ^ Buy your nice, cold 
lemonade. It’s cold, it’s nice. Treat your girls, 
and treat the children. The babies cry fer it, 
the sweethearts sigh fer it, the grandmas die 
fer it — five cents a glass.’ And when you’re 
sold out, you git here quick fer more !” 

Yes,” supplemented the lemonade - man’s 
wife. Mile. Arielle, and be careful not to fall 
and spill it all down somebody’s neck. When 
they want it down their necks they like to pour 
it down themselves.” 

And he polite. And don’t fergit the price ; 
and don’t take no bad money; and don’t make 
no mistakes about the change,” added Tom. 
“ Live up to them clothes like a man !” 

The better to initiate the boy and establish 
his confidence in himself. Watt started him 
early, as soon, in fact, as the first twenty peo- 
ple had taken their seats in the tent for the 
regular show. With his cruet-like tray in hand, 
153 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


and very much afraid of spilling a drop of the 
costly liquid intrusted to his care, little Tad 
walked in past the doorkeeper whom Tom had 
instructed, and headed towards the group of 
waiting people. 

Tom hoisted up the canvas and called, Sing 
out !” 

Tad gave a start, and all but dropped his 
tray. He was overcoming a species of stage 
fright” with the greatest difficulty. He was 
awkward, timid, worried about his speech, and 
far more worried about bad money, making 
change, and all the rest. 

Tad was a brave little chap, however, and on 
he went. He came quite close to his intended 
victims before he lifted his voice. Then he 
piped up in a faint, boyish utterance, shrill and 
thin. 

Here’s your nice lemonade !” he an- 
nounced, proceeding that far with an excellent 
memory of instructions, after which his 
lines ” went completely from his head. He 
hesitated, and added, weakly, Grandma cries 
for it — five cents a glass.” 

A fat man near him guffawed explosively. 

‘‘Here,” said he, “what about grandpop? 
And the kids? I’ll treat the crowd. We’ll 
take it all.” 


154 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


There were eight in his party, and eight full 
glasses in the tray. 

Tad was smiling. His smile was very inno- 
cent, very engaging. He lifted the glasses nice- 
ly, one by one, from his holder, and passed them 
along to the women and children with the grace 
that came to him instantly at this happy en- 
counter with his kind. 

“ Hew at the business, ain’t you, lad ?” in- 
quired the man. How much is the bill ?” 

Forty cents, thank you,” answered Tad. 

Yes, sir, I’m just starting in this afternoon.” 

The man fished up half a dollar. You’re 
all right,” he said, with a fatherly smile. 

Keep up your lick — and keep the change for 
yourself.” 

“ Oh, I’ve got to be careful with the change,” 
answered Tad. I’ve got to see the money isn’t 
bad, and give everybody change.” 

He had been provided with a dollar’s worth 
of dimes and nickels. He carefully pocketed 
the man’s half-dollar, paid him a bright ten- 
cent piece, and took back his glasses, quickly 
emptied. 

Thank you kindly,” he said, with another 
boyish smile of pleasure, and away he sped to 
get a new supply of lemonade. 

Tom, who had raised up the canvas to listen 
155 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


to Tad’s singing out,” had intended to 
strengthen him up once more, and bid him put 
steam in his voice. When he saw him return- 
ing thus promptly for more lemonade, how- 
ever, he stared in mute acknowledgment of the 
youngster’s fitness for the place. He filled the 
glasses silently. Tad was talking, telling how 
it was done. 

“ And there,” said he, is the money I got 
to bring back.” 

Put it down in your clothes fer change,” 
instructed Tom. Change is workin’ capital. 
When you find out where you’re at, it wouldn’t 
surprise me a bit if you come to be the J ohn D. 
Eockyfeller of the red lemonade monopoly of 
the whole United States.” 

Tad returned to his task with swiftly grow- 
ing confidence. Yet confidence with little Tad 
could never become impertinent assurance. He 
was made unafraid by the attitude of all who 
bought his wares. He was presently calling 
his vending song in a clear, delightful voice; 
but never for a moment could he come to as- 
sume any ways but those that his mother had 
taught, the ways of gentility, thoughtfulness, 
and honesty. He disposed of a truly amazing 
quantity of the acid lemonade, for many and 
many a customer bought to hear him speak and 
15G 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


see him smile, and to draw some quaint observ- 
ance from his nature. 

He worked like a Trojan, both before and 
during the show. When clown and riders, 
horses, acrobats, and tumblers came to the ring 
it was hard, indeed, for the boj to stick to his 
task. To leave the tent for more lemonade in 
the middle of an act of breathless suspense 
taxed the utmost powers of his boyish will. 

Up and do’svn the crowded seats, and back 
and forth, from the tub outside to the show 
within, he trudged in conscientious faithful- 
ness. His legs grew tired, his voice was weak, 
his arm and his back were dully aching. It was 
not till Solon, the educated dog, came on, how- 
ever, that he slipped just a jot from his path 
of duty. Then he simply could not leave to fill 
his tray. He stood entranced, on the topmost 
seat, and stared at Bill and the dog with most 
mingled emotions. 

Trick after trick the dog performed easily, 
gracefully, obediently. 

To all appearances. Bill was saying nothing. 
His orders, if any were needed, were given in 
a tone that Tad could not detect. As for Solon, 
Tad’s very heart went out to that dog ; he knew 
not why. There was something sad, something 
infinitely touching in the joyless, automatic 
157 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


way with which the handsome, lonely fellow 
went through his act. He obeyed, he heard the 
plaudits of the audience that was excited to 
enthusiasm by his obvious intelligence, but 
seemingly he got no word of the kind for which 
a dog’s heart frequently aches. 

Tad’s one impulse was to run to Solon’s side 
and hug him and praise him for each and every 
trick performed. A pat, a caress, Avas so little 
to give for things thus so prettily done ; but the 
circus-dog there in the ring, with Bill for a 
master, seemed starved for so much as a smile. 

When he went. Tad remembered not his 
glasses, but his pup. He hastened away, but 
before he went to replenish the red lemonade 
he scampered around to where Diogenes was 
tied, and loved that overjoyed puppy half to 
death. 

The show had ended, all but the concert. 
Watt told the boy to knock otf, and take a 
rest.” Tad had taken in more money than Tom 
had seen accumulate at any one performance 
for a month, and out of the sum he was given 
fifty cents. Tom searched out his wife, shook 
her significantly by the hand, and told her in a 
whisper what a find they had made. 

I could see him,” said Mile. Arielle. I 
saw him from the ring. He looked real sweet, 
158 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


I think I’ll make him a jacket. I feel, Tom, 
as if I Avouldn’t mind adoptin’ that little boy. 
I could just be his mother in a min it.” 

Tad, for his recreation, returned to his pup. 
Diogenes was not to be neglected. Out to the 
rear of the horse-tent went the two, and there 
for an hour Diogenes tackled the tricks, with a 
home-made hoop and flag and other properties 
that Tad had ingeniously contrived. He had 
to learn, and he knew it. Tad had so informed 
him, with constant repetitions of the theme. 
There was not a smarter pup in all the land — 
but it had to be proved. 

That was the first, and a typical day, for 
Diogenes and Tad. They went together to find 
old Calamity when the hour for the lessons was 
finished, for Tad’s small heart was full of joy, 
and his head was full of things to tell, and good 
old Calamity, his friend, was the one of all the 
show to whom he turned at last with a feeling 
far stronger than just mere friendship, com- 
radery, or loyalty. 

Also, there was Biff, the horse that no one 
else should water — Biff, who looked forward 
every morning, evening, and night to a pat on 
the neck and a stroking of the nose and a word 
of affection from a friend. Biff was not for- 
gotten. Indeed, he was told all the fortunate 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


things that were happening; he was assured 
that he and the pup and Tad’s own self ^vould 
be friends now for certain, and for just as long 
as red lemonade continued to be made and sold 
about the place. Moreover, all the lumps of 
sugar to which young Tad was entitled for the 
colfee which he did not drink came duly trav- 
elling to Biff, and disappeared from the boy’s 
small palm, to the great delight of all con- 
cerned. 

That evening Tad was seated directly across 
the table from two of his friends, the tattooed 
man and the fat lady, she who had gone with 
him, Sunday, to the church. They greeted him 
warmly, introduced him to the clown — a si- 
lent, melancholy man — then to the ordinary- 
looking woman of the side-show, who managed 
the ape; and she, in her turn, presented those 
childish musical prodigies who furnished the 
music in her tent. 

Tad bowed, and spoke to all these new ac- 
quaintances, but the child - musicians seemed 
far too weary to do more than nod in response. 
It was not until later that Tad was informed 
they were Swedish artists, only temporarily 
travelling with the show. 

The seat next to Tad on the left was vacant. 
In that on the right sat Mile. Arielle, very 
160 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


hungry, indeed, and too engrossed to talk. 
Presently in came that haughty little girl with 
the slender legs. She sat by Tad, and Tad was 
duly presented. 

Miss Chiffon Gray was the little lady’s name. 
She was not a Swedish musician, though she 
played in the band with the tired prodigies. 
She was a regular circus personage, being the 
daughter of a lady acrobat and trapezist, who 
had been in the business for years. 

Miss Chiffon Gray barely acknowledged the 
honor of Tad’s acquaintance, and partook of her 
supper in a studied hauteur that Tad found 
distinctly repelling. Tad made but one timid 
advance towards conversation with her high- 
ness, then subsided, quite extinguished. Miss 
Gray, he was sure, was far too high up to no- 
tice a boy who merely sold the lemonade. 

But youth is prone to error. Miss Chiffon 
Gray had observed the sturdy, handsome, young 
Tad before. In secret she admired him very 
much indeed. She was quite excited and flus- 
tered to be sitting here beside him at the table, 
but to let him dream of the state of her mind 
was a matter quite out of the question. Her 
perky little nose perked so very high, indeed, 
that Tad was in despair. 

His long, hard day was done at last. He 
161 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


went to bed with his pup in his arms, wrapped 
in Calamity’s blankets. Vaguely he wondered, 
as his eyelids drooped, if Miss Chiffon Gray 
might not have a weakness for a glass of red 
lemonade. 


XVII 

DIOGENES HUNTING FOR TROUBLE 

IKETOX faded from the view and 
from the minds of all those circus 
travellers. It was left behind that 
Monday night, and the caravan went 
along to farther fields. Day after 
day succeeded rapidly, the show folk 
always in consuming haste, and no one entirely 
free from the cares and tribulations attendant 
on that curious mode of life. 

There were days when it rained, and the 
show moved on without even taking expenses. 
There were days of accidents to wagons, ani- 
mals, and men. There were times when all 
seemed well and going prosperously, but some- 
where ever lurked some gnawing germ of cost 
that ate up profits, often over night, and grum- 
bling was heard in the van. 

The third day out from Piketon, Diogenes 
grew weary of his place beneath a wagon while 
the show was in progress and Tad was in the 
163 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


tent with his tray. He chewed off his rope, 
discovered he was free, and started at once on 
a tour of circus discoveries. 

Haturally a highly intelligent pup, he had 
already made himself acquainted with every- 
thing visible outside those canvas retreats. 
Diogenes preferred the inside of things, any- 
way. He trotted importantly across the grass 
to the pad tent, that being nearest, and remem- 
bered as a place of extensive possibilities. Here 
he rooted in under the wall, thrust nose and 
eyes and ears within, and looked about. What 
he saw was a shoe, coming straight at his head. 
He saw it too late for his comfort. It whacked 
him most soundly on the jaw, assisting him 
greatly to retreat. 

Very good. There were shoes in the pad — 
and some one who could throw uncommonly 
well. He stood irresolute for a moment, when 
the field was once more open before him. On 
the breeze came some odor of animals that sud- 
denly appealed to Diogenes with vaguely con- 
jured memories of a not very distant past. 

He trotted awkwardly from the pad to the 
side-show tent, halted for a moment, sniffed his 
way along at the base of the canvas, then pres- 
ently paused, growled some puppy inquiry, and 
seemed to receive a response. 

164 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


It was only the task of a moment to toss up 
the canvas with his burrowing nose and scram- 
ble in under to the presence of a friend. The 
friend was Hamm, that huge wall of brawn, the 
shackled elephant — loaded night and day with 
chains because of the meanness of his spirit. 

There he stood, sullenly weaving back and 
forth, swinging the hammock of iron links that 
bound his tusks to his ankles, while he medi- 
tated deep revenge, to be meted some day to his 
keepers. He paused in that pendulum motion 
as the bright-eyed pup came engagingly for- 
ward and leaped confidingly up on his trunk. 

The mate to Hamm, whose name was Romu- 
lus, was not aware that Diogenes had come. 
Ramm looked around, in a furtive way, to see 
who might be observing. The tent was all but 
abandoned. The freaks ” had gone, the vis- 
itors were all in the big main tent, the keeper 
reclined, asleep, against a post, with his back 
to the scene. 

Ramm Avas glad to see that pup. He knew 
him at once as the bold little scamp who had 
dared to come and play here once before. Had 
the huge creature born of the jungle been re- 
gretting his somewhat rude behavior towards 
Diogenes before, he could not have been more 
cordial than he was this afternoon. He placed 
165 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


his mighty trunk upon the pup’s lively body, 
and rolled him over precisely as a pup delights 
to be rolled. He caught Diogenes lightly when 
he leaped and ran about one tree-like leg to dart 
upon his trunk, and gave him a comforting 
shake. Diogenes was charmed beyond expres- 
sion. He cut up his prettiest capers. 

There was something odd about that play, 
for all the while the pup was singularly silent. 
The funny little growls he made were remark- 
ably suppressed. Hamm must have warned 
him to be cautious, lest the keeper awake. 
Whatsoever the true explanation may be, it is 
certain those two, the one so huge and mighty, 
the other so small and trusting, had a won- 
derful time of it, all to themselves, for half 
an hour, the pup soundly spatting Hamm’s 
trunk with his paw, and leaping up and scoot- 
ing away, the elephant catching him, rolling 
him over and pinching his legs with thumb 
and finger of his trunk. Then Tad came hasti- 
ly in there, very much worried, and found the 
runaway. The game was abruptly concluded, 
the pup was spanked and scolded, and his 
frightened young master bore him away in his 
arms, disgraced. 

After that, Diogenes was often very wicked. 
He had done it once, with great success ; he did 
166 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


it again. There was no device so clever that 
he could not manage to affect an escape, from 
time to time; and so surely as he got away he 
proceeded straight to the presence of Kamm, 
the forbidden, there to engage the shackled 
pachyderm in conversation, play, and complica- 
tions. 

As a matter of fact, both Tad and the pup 
enjoyed the greatest of liberties as the days 
rolled by and their circle of acquaintances ex- 
tended. Everybody liked Diogenes and Tad — 
everybody, that is, save Bill, who ignored them 
quite as completely as if they had enjoyed no 
existence whatsoever. As for the animals, 
from the ape to Ramm himself, there was not 
a creature with the show that did not discover a 
friend in Tad and another in his dog. The 
horses loved them openly, as likewise did Ro- 
mulus, the better-natured elephant, but the love 
borne the two by Solon, the lonely, educated 
dog, was the deepest and least revealed emotion 
of them all. 

At the end of the first ten days of his brill- 
iant success with the red lemonade. Tad was 
called to the pad, quite late in the afternoon, 
by Mile. Arielle. She had all but finished the 
making of a jacket for Tad to wear at his work. 

It was fashioned of bright red satin — a portion 

la 167 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


of one of her useless rigs, cut and sewed with 
infinite patience. 

Mile. Arielle was exceedingly fond of little 
Tad. She loved nothing better than to listen 
to his talk, to watch the bright, innocent smile 
come flitting to his eyes and wholesome face. 
She loved to keep him neat and clean ; to brush 
off his clothing was a treat, since then she could 
take him almost in her hands, to turn him 
about, and square him around, and push back 
the ringlets from his forehead. 

This afternoon she had fetched him in to try 
on the bright new jacket. Because she was not 
a natural seamstress, she had worked very hard 
to make that jacket worthy of his figure. It 
had cost her many an hour of time when weari- 
ness claimed her for its own. She had prick- 
ed her fingers repeatedly on every hem and 
seam. 

Tad, when he saw this new glory, was tre- 
mendously pleased. He submitted with grace 
to having it tried and pulled upon him, and 
taken off and tried again, for Tad was fond^'^ 
Mrs. Watt, and crazed with delight to be here 
in the pad — this place of wonders that could 
never cease to fascinate and charm him. 

It was while he and Mile. Arielle were thus 
engaged, half behind a canvas partition, that 
168 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


the youthful Diogenes committed a novel in- 
discretion. He effected an easy escape from 
the wagon to which he was so habitually at- 
tached, discovered Tad’s trail through the 
empty circus tent, and boldly entered the pad 
where Tad was being fitted. Since Tad was 
there this intrusion was quite justifiable. 

This might have been all very well had not 
the pup abandoned the trail of his master so 
soon as he found himself in this forbidden 
Eden of the show, and sniffed out the place 
where Solon, the guarded, was imprisoned. 

Solon was a fellow-dog, and how could a pup 
walk stiffly by and refuse to speak a word? 
Diogenes, if the truth be told, went madly gal- 
loping to where his educated fellow-being was 
fastened, and threw himself clumsily into So- 
lon’s very face to express his cordiality. 

If Solon was amazed, he was instantly over- 
joyed. He had yearned for that pup’s awk- 
ward company, from afar, for many days. He 
had sighed for just such advances — just such 
honest abandon to puppish feelings. What in 
the world but a pup could be so irresponsibly 
sincere ? 

Yet Solon was offish, ill at ease, unpractised 
in the ways of returning a greeting. He must 
needs stand up, very tall and dignified, and 
169 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


pretend not to play or enjoy this play, but to 
gaze at the top of the tent and let the youngster 
frolic. Two minutes of Diogenes, however, 
would have shattered the dignity of the very 
Sphinx itself. Diogenes was only a name for 
defencelessness. It gave the pup a chance to 
jump all over the other fellow^s neck, and gulp 
at his eye and bite him on the shins. All these 
things young Diogenes proceeded to do with 
such optimistic vigor and enthusiasm that So- 
lon stood no chance. He found himself obliged 
to hop to avoid being eaten alive. The moment 
he hopped the pup hopped — and far more 
swiftly. He hit Solon’s tail, gnawed his ear, 
and squirmed completely under him, all in one 
original gyration. He had things going, and 
kept them on the move. There was nothing to 
do with that pup but suppress him. 

This, however, was more than any one dog 
could achieve. Solon gave up dignity, gave 
up pretence, and gave up his time to a glorious 
tussle with the pup. The fun waxed fast and 
furious for ten magnificently lawless minutes 
before even Tad chanced to cast a glance from 
behind the canvas partition. Even then things 
were still going as smoothly as two such rough 
playmates could desire. Tad being far too 
yoTithful, and far too sympathetic, to interfere ; 
iio 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


but while Tad stood there, glad as the gods, the 
Nemesis of playfulness was coming. 

It was Bill. Some mere incautious growl of 
P^PPy hilarity had come to his ears, even as he 
walked along outside the tent. Neither Tad 
nor the dogs saw him coming till he suddenly 
leaped into view, the ringmaster’s whip in his 
hand. With one snarl of anger he lashed at 
Diogenes, and caught him from shoulder to 
hip with the smartly stinging lash. The end 
of the knout -like snapper coiled completely 
round the pup, and almost snipped a hit of 
flesh from Solon’s leg. 

Diogenes let out a yelp of astonishment. He 
paused in his play to look about. Too late 
to escape, too honest and innocent, indeed, to 
run on the instant, he stood where he was, look- 
ing inquiringly up at the man, till Bill swiftly 
kicked with all his strength. Then Diogenes 
rolled over. It was all he could do to avert 
unpleasantness. He did not manage entirely 
to escape the heavy, vicious boot, but the force 
of the blow was expended in part in the air. 
The pup received his share, however; of this 
he felt assured. It took him so very much less 
than a second, after that, to scramble to his 
feet and scoot away that the whip-stroke, sing- 
ing through the air at his heels, missed the end 
171 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


of his tail by several inches. He disappeared 
in a streak of dust and fuzz. 

The man then turned to Solon, who sat there, 
shamed and attempting to yawn. He was not 
at fault, and of this he was quite well aware. 
But he knew his master’s moods. There was no 
use attempting to meet his master’s eyes ; there 
was nothing there but cruelty, perhaps sup- 
pressed as regards himself, but none the less 
patent to a dog. 

Bill glared at him silently for three full 
minutes at the least. He said nothing. He 
was waiting for anger to subside from his brain 
before he should dare to address the dog. He 
knew too much to whip this sensitive animal; 
he knew too much to even scold, as was his 
wont. What he did not know and could not 
comprehend was the fact that even this silent 
wrath, this wish to strike, and to lash with his 
tongue, was nearly as poignant as a blow to 
the lonely, friend-denied animal, crouching at 
his feet. 

If ever I felt like beating you, it’s now!” 
he said, at last, between his clinched teeth. 

If ever I catch you playing or fooling with 
a pup again — ” 

He left the threat unfinished, for the dog had 
dropped to the earth like a thing in pain, and 
172 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


closed his eyes as if thus only could the pres- 
ence of such a man and master he tolerated. 

Oh, it’s all right — all right, Solon,” the 
man hastened to assure him. But you are a 
grown-up dog, and I won’t have a miserable 
pup — There, don’t take it hard. I don’t 
mean to be cross. Don’t look like that, and I’ll 
say no more about it.” 

The one thing living in all the world that he 
dared not treat with cruelty was this dog. The 
one thing he loved, in his harsh, brutal way, 
was Solon. lie had raised the dog, and taught 
him all his tricks. Solon had made him his 
living, brought him at last an interest in the 
circus, saved him when hope had gone and re- 
source had seemed at an end. The dog was the 
one companion towards whom he could look 
for faithfulness, and to whom he could give 
an affection without appearing soft. And de- 
pendent as he was upon the animal for more 
than just his daily bread, he had studied him, 
striven to please him, and spared him the rod, 
the curses and the threats with which he work- 
ed his will upon others. He knew at this 
moment he had cut the dog’s nature to the 
quick, but jealously selfish of the animal’s 
every look or tail-wave of fellowship, he could 
not consent to a thought of Solon’s playing 
173 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

with that pup, much less with any boy or with 
a man. 

I^m sorry, old fellow, if I spoke too rough,” 
he added, now, contritely. Come on, boy, 
let’s be friends.” 

He patted the bowed head with a hand that 
for him was gentle. With an effort Solon 
wagged his tail. He was only a dog, after all, 
and this was his master. Bill was satisfied. 

Good dog,” he said. I’ll come back to 
see you by and by.” 

He left the pad and strode through the larger 
tent, with the single purpose of searching out 
the boy who owned that pup and driving them 
both from the show. 

Tad, who had witnessed all the scene, sud- 
denly darted from the side of Mile. Arielle, 
engrossed as she was in a slight alteration of 
the jacket, and dived headforemost under the 
Avail of the tent, to be first at the wagon where 
his pup should be found. The boy knew by 
instinct that trouble was in store for young 
Diogenes. He had no thought for himself. 

Diogenes Avas home.” The wagon was al- 
ways his refuge; it was always good enough 
for the pup when troubles were brewing on the 
field. Tad fairly fell doAvn upon him, in his 
hot desire to hide him quite from sight. Then 
174 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


back to the pad and to Mile. Arielle he sped, 
certain here of sanctuary for them both. 

Meantime, Bill had been diverted from his 
purpose. Three of his partners had been search- 
ing for him all about the place. There were 
troubles to meet and allay then and there; 
troubles far more vital to the show than any 
trifles which a pup, however playful, could en- 
gender. The Swedish artist children, those 
small and ever-wearied prodigies who furnished 
the music for the side-show, were to leave. For 
a week or more their manager, the lady who 
handled the ape, had been secretly negotiating 
for better salaries, with marked success. She 
had likewise raised ambitions in the mind of 
the man who owned the elephants. He also 
wished to leave and take his captives. A rail- 
road branch had its terminus here at this vil- 
lage. This was the place of all places to leave 
the tented show. 

The conference lasted almost up to dark. 
The woman and youthful musicians were not 
invited to the talk. The elephant-man, on the 
contrary, was the central figure of it all. The 
children could go ; that was settled very swiftly, 
but with Komulus and Ramm, the conclusions 
were altogether different. Without them the 
circus would almost inevitably fail. At any 
175 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


cost, these two huge attractions must be saved 
to the organization. To the somewhat bitter 
accusations that the treatment of himself had 
not been fair, the elephant owner heard the 
gratifying response that henceforth he should 
share the profits as a partner. The money now 
paid to the woman with the juvenile orchestra 
should forthwith flow towards the pachyderms 
and their respected proprietor. A part of ev- 
erything else should be his, even including per- 
centages paid by Watt, who sold lemonade. 

The elephants remained. At the end of the 
conference all shook hands, the former associ- 
ates in the business heaved tremendous sighs of 
relief, and Bill forgot Diogenes entirely. 

When at length the new satin jacket was 
flnished. Tad and the pup crept slyly forth, 
Diogenes to be chained in the horse-tent, next 
to Biff, where Bill would never dare attempt to 
take him, and Tad to hasten busily to watering 
the stock. 

That night Tad was dressed in his brilliant 
new coat as he peddled the red lemonade. He 
passed ]\Iiss Chiffon Gray on one of his rounds, 
and said Hello.” N^early ready to expire 
with admiration and envy, she nodded and 
passed, with the airs of a sceptred queen. And 
Mile. Arielle, on her horse, in all her tights 
17G 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


and spangles, craned her neck so immoderately 
to watch her boy,’’ that she fell over backward 
in the ring. But brightly as shone that new 
red coat, it was still outdone by the bright, 
fresh smile of the honest little fellow who wore 
it. The nickels responded to his winning ways, 
and not to his clothes, when he sung out: 

Treat the children ; treat your girl — it’s 
nice — only five cents a glass.” 


XVIII 


A MAN AND DOG ARE ILL 

F ever there seemed to be a place in 
the world where Time should fly a 
little slowly, that place is in and 
and about a circus. But Time is no 
respecter of the clown, the riders, or 
any one else — not even the children, 
the weeks all went, young Tad and 
the pup could not have told. They lost all 
reckoning, and could not have guessed what 
time of the week or month it was on any day 
save Sunday. More than a month had glided 
by, marked by an endless procession of villages, 
through which the circus had played its way, 
and heralded by labor, haste, and weariness 
which seemed to have no end. 

How hard he was working. Tad never knew ; 
he had earned nearly five whole dollars. He 
had lovable friends on every hand ; he liked the 
travelling, liked the excitements, liked every- 
thing. The things that Diogenes did not like 
178 



Where 



SUNNYSIDE TAD 


about a circus would have been very hard to 
discover — unless one looked for Bill. Diogenes 
dreaded Bill, and disliked him thoroughly and 
unreservedly. 

The pup had grown with every day. He was 
rounding out, and stretching out, and rising 
up to considerable proportions. He was grow- 
ing exceedingly wise, and more than ever fond 
of Tad. There had hardly been a day, in all 
these many weeks, that he had not practised at 
his tricks. He knew them all, and performed 
them well, in a comical, half-grave way of his 
own that amused his master endlessly. He 
could stand on his head, walk gayly about on 
his two hind legs, turn a somersault, leap 
through a hoop, and perform some antics of his 
own quaint doggish invention such as Solon 
had never attempted. 

When Tad reflected on the fate of Solon, the 
one dark spot on all the round of circus life 
appeared. The dog^was broken-hearted. Tad 
knew it instinctively, as well as by a sympathy 
and understanding too frequently denied to 
human beings. Hever, since that memorable 
day, had the boy or the pup been permitted to 
speak to Solon again. But twice each day the 
boy had watched the handsome, lonely animal 
go meekly, gracefully, and listlessly through 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


his performance, on each succeeding day with 
less and less doggish spirit. 

The joy that Tad had taken in the dog’s fine 
act at first had ceased forever. It made the 
boy’s small heart ache dully just to know how 
unhappy the faithful Solon had become. If 
the pup and Tad were longing to romp with 
and pet that patient companion of man, their 
feelings were shallow and fleeting when com- 
pared with the endless yearning that lay in 
Solon’s nature. Day after day the friendless 
dog lay waiting in the pad — waiting to see if 
the boy or pup might not by chance appear. 
Night after night he looked in the face of his 
master and tried to discover some sign that 
Bill was relenting — some thoughtful compas- 
sion that would urge the man to send for Tad 
and Diogenes. 

There Tvas never such a sign. Bill stared at 
his dog in some strange mood, half worry, half 
resentment. He knew what Solon wanted, he 
despised a taste so frivolous. Jealousy clutched 
at the man’s embittered nature, even while a 
worry stirred his pulse. He could see that the 
dog was daily failing, and anguish, his own 
sort of anguish, came faintly upon him. If he 
knew that Solon’s heart was at the very point 
of breaking, if he knew that the pup was a 
180 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


cure, he could not bring his selfish nature to 
the point of sharing the animaFs affections with 
Diogenes. 

There was bitterness rankling in Bilks soured 
heart these days. His words of kindness to his 
dog not only failed to arouse the old spirit of 
gladness in Solon’s demeanor, but the man was 
almost daily witnessing some mad burst of love 
and affection between little Tad and his pup. 
He cursed the boy, and cursed Diogenes, for 
living and being with the show. He frowned 
at the very virtues by which little Tad had 
made himself so nearly indispensable in these 
harrowing times, when the circus was actually 
struggling for every copper penny of its small 
profits. 

The circus arrived one day, at noon, in a 
poor and scattered little village. Delays had 
been occasioned first by acidents to three of the 
wagons, then by rain and mud. A worn-out, 
bedraggled caravan it was that limped to the 
rain-soaked field whereon the tents should have 
risen two long hours before. There could be 
no parade; there might not be a show should 
the threatening clouds that still hung low in 
the sky drop more of their burden of rain. 

The tents were hoisted. Dinner was served, 
and spirits somewhat ascended. Until almost 
181 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


two in the afternoon the threatened rain was 
withheld. Bj then a quarter - sized audience 
had assembled in the tent, and show and rain 
began together. 

Outside, the teamsters and roustabouts at- 
tempted to catch their customary sleep. They 
were far more than ordinarily exhausted. 
Good-natured old Calamity, stiff in his crip- 
pled leg, and already barking with a cough, 
crawled inside a wagon for a rest, and the 
rain fell in upon him. Indeed, the rain came 
through the flimsy roofs of nearly every shelter 
afforded by the show. The day was a miserable 
failure. 

That night two members of the circus family 
— one important and valued, the other abso- 
lutely insignificant and of small account — 
were sick. One was the educated dog, the other 
was limping old Calamity. Both had taken 
cold. Calamity made no complaint. He 
dragged himself about the dripping grounds 
as best he might, cheerily croaking to Tad, who 
helped like a man, but the old soldier’s strength 
was gone, his blood was hot, and he ached in 
every bone. 

The circus proceeded on its way. There was 
rain again in the night. On the following day 
Calamity was ill indeed. His fever was high, 
182 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


he could not eat, he was flat on his hack in a 
wagon, unable to do more than move. 

It was Tad who brought him the food he 
could not touch, Tad who took his place in the 
care of the horses, and Tad who went to all his 
friends — the clown, the fat lady, tattooed man, 
to Mile. Arielle, and Tom — to beg for any 
medicine that might beget relief. Thus it came 
to the ears of Bill that poor old Calamity was 
sick. 

The man was rendered thoroughly impatient. 
His dog was ill — and that was a matter of im- 
portance. The show and its people would per- 
mit no demoralization. Calamity must mend 
at once if he wished to remain with the van. 
Calamity tried it — and failed. 

By evening he was quite as helpless as a 
child. Demoralization, moreover, had begun. 
Tad had neglected the red lemonade, neglected 
Diogenes’ trick, neglected everything. Watt 
was impatient. Bill, who kept a constant eye 
upon receipts, and therefore on Tad and his 
earnings, was enraged. Harassed by the losses 
and hardships of the week, frantic with ill- 
concealed anguish over Solon’s condition, the 
man’s one resource was cruelty. He knew no 
gentle moods. Xot even reason came to soften 
his nature. 


13 


183 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


He strode to the wagon where Calamity was 
housed, discovering Tad and Diogenes there in 
attendance. The boy and the pup were thrust 
aside. 

Look here, Calamity, what’s all this mon- 
key business now he demanded. Ain’t you 
old enough to quit this baby racket? When 
you goin’ to git up ?” 

Calamity looked at him weakly. A sicker 
man than the thin old fellow had become 
would have been very difficult to find. But he 
smiled in a faint, tired way, characteristic of 
his spirit. 

I ’ain’t felt finer. Bill,” he said, in the 
feeblest possible utterance, since me and Ha- 
poleon was pirates.” 

Don’t come your funny tricks with me !” 
answered Bill, in a rage of impatience. Either 
you git lip and go to work and cut out this 
booby game, or we’ll leave you here and quit 
this town without you!” 

Go without him ?” said Tad. Leave Ca- 
lamity behind — so sick ?” 

Sliut up I” commanded Bill, aggressively. 

You put in your oar when I tell you, not 
before !” 

That’s all right,” said Calamity, weakly, 
looking at Bill by making considerable effort. 

184 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


You kin pull me out on the ground. I’ll 
have to take my chance.” 

You can go to the village — or go to the 
devil !” added Bill. I’ve told you how it is, 
and I guess if we left you we’d be in better 
luck. Make up your mind! Are you goin’ 
to git up and go to work ?” 

Calamity smiled, as he had before. He mur- 
mured, Boll me out.” 

Bill glared at him savagely. We’ll leave 
you 1” he said. Hang good riddance to the 
show !” 

He strode off to give the men his orders. 

Tad was almost speechless with grief and 
dread. He returned to Calamity’s side imme- 
diately, his boyish hopes and fears in distress- 
ing conflict. 

He didn’t mean it — he couldn’t mean a 
thing so bad as that,” he said. They couldn’t 
go off and leave you here — alone and sick — 
they wouldn’t do anything like that !” 

It’s all right. What’s the diff ?” replied 
Calamity, speaking faintly, but with philo- 
sophic courage. The circus won’t go under.” 

But they can’t — they couldn’t be so mean 1” 
insisted Tad, from the bottom of his heart. 

If they left you here I’d stay — with the pup 
— and git you well !” 


185 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Comrade — couldn’t let you do it,” said the 
weakened old fellow, turning his face from the 
boy. Don’t worry. Guess I’ll go to sleep !” 

Tad watched him for a moment, his honest 
little heart nearly bursting with emotion. It 
was still to Calamity, more than to any of the 
others, that he turned for that sense of com- 
panionship, brotherhood, or parenthood that 
had made its bond between them almost the 
very instant of their meeting. What to do 
with this trouble was more than the little chap’s 
experience could let him know. He could not 
believe that Bill, or any one else, would be so 
brutal as to leave old Calamity behind. 

For a moment he gazed in silence at the 
thin old figure, lying so helplessly ill in the 
wagon. The darkness was swiftly descending. 
The night would come, the performance end, 
and the circus go away. If Tom and the tat- 
tooed man, the clown and Mile. Arielle could 
know what Bill had said — perhaps something 
could be done. 

He sped away to Watt. The lemonade-man, 
in common with everybody else, had heard 
Bill’s ultimatum. Calamity was down and out. 
They would leave him there that night. Bill 
was supreme with the animals, teamsters, and 
roustabouts. There would be no dispute of his 
186 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


word without a row. And a row was not to be 
courted. Calamity was not worth it. 

“ Just leave it alone,” said Watt to Tad. 

It ain’t our pie.” 

You don’t mean Bill’s really going to do 
it ?” cried Tad, with fears suddenly confirmed. 

And nobody’s going to stay and help Ca- 
lamity ?” 

Look here, little friend,” said Watt, in a 
practical way, the show’s got all the trouble 
it can pack, right now — and Bill has said his 
say. We ’ain’t got no time fer Calamity — 
poor old rat — we’re busy cussin’ the rain.” 

Tad could only answer with a boyish moan. 
He sped away to find Mile Arielle, who could 
work her will on Tom, who, in turn, could 
make a protest higher up. But he dared not 
enter the pad when he came to the door, for 
Bill was there with his ailing dog, and atilt for 
more of his prey. 

Outside Tad encountered the clown. This 
melancholy fellow was amply sympathetic. He 
had heard the news, and he made no doubt that 
the word of Bill would be done. The tattooed 
man, and the owner of the elephants, both of 
them friends of little Tad, came by and stopped 
to agree with the dovni that Calamity was 
done. 


187 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Tad was silenced. He wandered away by 
himself in the gathering gloom. The rain had 
ceased for a time, but a drizzle permeated 
everything with moisture and with chill. A 
teamster friend that Tad was passing paused 
to observe that Calamity was doomed as a mem- 
ber of the tented organization. His addition 
to the sickening fact that Bill had no other in- 
tention than to leave the old cripple behind had 
not been needed to reduce the boy’s last ray of 
hope to the most profound despair. 

Under a tree, quite removed from the tents. 
Tad came at length to a halt. He had to think it 
over very hard. He had said if Calamity were 
left behind he would stay and be his friend. 
Calamity had been his friend — his only friend 
— that day when, more than ever in his life, he 
had felt the need of sympathy and help. Ca- 
lamity had also been kind to Diogenes — and 
the pup bore him fealty and love. Tad, too, 
loved the helpless old braggart. And he loved 
the circus as well. 

Calamity’s fate was settled — and accepted 
by all in the show. Tad was alone in all the 
grief and agony occasioned by Bill’s cruelty. 
Moreover, his boyish decision must be reached 
here alone, in the rain. His heart, his happi- 
ness, his all of hope were interwoven with the 
188 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


fate of the circus. It was home to Tad — the 
only home he knew in all the world. But 
Calamity — left here alone in his blankets — 
sick, unable to eat or move — left here to die! 
Tad knew he would die. To leave him thus 
was quite out of the question. Tad could have 
cried with the wrench it gave his heart to think 
of permitting the show to go and leave him 
behind, forever, but he could not bear the re- 
flection of leaving Calamity alone. 

He started back to the wagon where his 
patient was housed. All the warmth and boy- 
ish impulses of his sympathetic nature were 
surging in his breast. They could go — tents, 
elephants. Mile. Arielle, the red jacket, and all! 
Someway he and Calamity would live — some- 
way a boy could get old Calamity well again 
— and theyM start on their travels together ! 


XTX 

TAD’S SACRIFICE 

0 sooner had he come within the 
circle of the field than he saw that 
new orders had been issued. He un- 
derstood at once. Discouraged hy 
the rain and the small attendance 
at the afternoon’s performance, the 
show folk had early determined to pull up 
stakes and depart. Already the scenes of de- 
struction, with which Tad was perfectly fa- 
miliar, were being enacted on the grounds hy 
the light of the kerosene torches. The tent was 
about to come down to the earth; the wagons 
were all being loaded. 

Across to the wagon where Calamity had his 
bed the boy went darting. Three of the team- 
sters were there, with something in their arms. 
The something was Calamity, wrapped in his 
blankets, and now being gently lifted from the 
wagon. 

J ust — prop me up — agin a tree,” he re- 
190 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


quested, weakly. I’ll maybe — brace up — 
and walk to the — village — pretty soon.” 

Tad bad come to bis side in time to bear this 
broken observation. 

I’ll help !” he cried. I’m going to stay 
and help. I’m going to go bring you a doctor 
and wagon.” 

“ Calam, you’re all right. You can git to 
the village hotel,” said one of the men. Don’t 
blame this racket onto us. We’ve got to hang 
onto our job, and orders is orders.” 

Calamity made no response. He was far too 
sick for discussions. They propped him up 
against a tree, beneath which one of the thought- 
ful souls had strewn a heap of hay, and there 
he assured them he felt once more like a pirate 
— quite himself. 

Tad was by his side at once. 

Don’t try to do anything but rest,” he said. 
“ I know I can get the village doctor to come 
here and get you with his buggy. They always 
have buggies, and they never charge more than 
five dollars, for I know.” 

^^Here, youngster. Watt was lookin’ ’round 
fer you,” said one of the teamsters, turning to 
go. He wanted to see you right away.” 

Tad stood gazing at the man, who held a 
torch, his honest little face very serious indeed. 

191 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


The pang that it cost him to refuse to run 
to the bidding of the red lemonade man was 
poignant beyond expression. 

“ I’m sorry I can’t/’ he replied, courageous- 
ly. I’ve got to leave the circus, I guess. I’m 
going to stay with Calamity — and git him 
well.” 

Huh !” said the man. Well, hear me, 
sonny! Does Tom Watt know what you’re 
doin’ 

You can tell him, please,” said Tad, a 
great lump in his throat. I’m sorry — but 
Calamity’s sick — he’s very weak and sick.” 

What’s that ?” demanded a voice from the 
outer rim of darkness. Tad, that you ? What 
you doin’ ? What’s the game ?” 

It was Watt, of the red lemonade. He came 
hurriedly walking to the place, and the man 
with the torch remained to see what would 
happen. 

I couldn’t come to see you,” Tad replied 
at once. I’ve got to leave the show. Ca- 
lamity’s sick, and they’ve put him out, so I’m 
going to stay — and I’m sorry to say good-bye 
to you all — but Calamity’s sick — and we’re 
friends.” 

You’re goin’ to leave the show ?” repeated 
Watt, in utter incredulity. Leave the circus! 

192 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Stay in this God-forsaken hole? Why, Tad, 
I thought you liked the show.” 

I do,” said Tad, speaking with difficulty. 

I love it all. I don’t know how I can let 
it go. But I must — I must. I won’t leave 
Calamity here all alone and so terribly 
sick !” 

Tad,” said the feeble voice of Calamity, 
whose pale, thin face was dimly shown by the 
flaring torch, Tad — don’t you — worry. Go 
— along. Don’t mind — an old — pirate — like 
me. Y^ou go — along.” 

I can’t,” said Tad. You know you don’t 
want me to go. We’re friends — and they’re 
mean as mean can be! I won’t, I won’t go 
without you 1” 

But think what you’re throwin’ away,” 
urged Watt. Ain’t me and the madam your 
friends ? Ain’t Fat and Tattoo and the rest of 
us all your strongest friends ? You’re like our 
own young kid, and you know it. Tad, and 
look at what you’re doin’ with the business. 
You’ll own a share in the circus, some day, if 
you’ll only stay with the game. Come on. We 
couldn’t say good-bye to you — and you couldn’t 
say good-bye to all of us.” 

One of the teamsters who had left the scene 
had spread the new intelligence. He liked 
193 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

little Tad, and greatly admired his sense of 
loyalty. 

Makes tke rest of us look like a month-old 
porous-plaster, trying to do a man good!” he 
said. 

The tattooed man thus heard the news. He 
came up the scene only slightly in advance of 
Mile. Arielle, who had likewise overheard the 
story. 

Tad stood full in the light of the torch, be- 
neath the tree, a manly, worried little figure. 
The light that played upon his face revealed 
the signs of his boyish emotions, and told of 
the conflict waging in his heart. It was hard 
to hear these persuasions, these quite sincere 
declarations of regard, and yet maintain his 
resolution. He loved the circus with all the 
ardor of his nature, all the fervor a boy can 
feel for home. He wished Tom would not at- 
tempt to alter his decision. Already thefre 
were far too many clamoring thoughts, of re- 
gret and his loss, engaged in overthrowing his 
loyalty and dutiful resolve towards Calamity. 

“ IVe thought of everything,” he said, in 
reply to Tom, and if everybody else has got 
to go — I’m going to stay.” 

’Phone me !” said the tattooed man, who 
had come to the circle. Per a boy which ain’t 
194 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


got a tattoo mark on none of his body, Tad’s 
the brickiest brick I ever seen!” 

What’s all this nonsense demanded the 
voice of Mile. Arielle, who arrived in the crisp- 
est of manners. Tad, you don’t mean to say 
you’re going to say good-bye to us all and stay 
behind ?” 

Please don’t talk to me — any more — please 
don’t,” urged Tad, in the throes of his dire 
temptation. Don’t you see what they’ve done ? 
And it’s raining now. I’m going to get a doc- 
tor. I’ve got to let the circus go — without me 
— and please don’t all make it so hard !” 

Kid’s right !” muttered Watt. It’s an 
outrage — hanged if it ain’t! Look here, I’ll 
make a row ! Tad, you stay where you are for 
five little minutes. Sal, you come along.” 

Sal ” was Mile. Arielle. Her real name 
cropped out on occasions of importance and 
tension. She joined her husband briskly, and 
the pair disappeared in the darkness. 

Calamity stirred in his blankets. 

Tad — I’m feelin’ better,” he said, with a 
painful effort at a smile. Too bad — all this 
— fuss. I ain’t — worth it — old good - for - 
nuthin’. Guess I can — ^walk to the — village.” 

He attempted to rise from his bed. He stag- 
gered weakly to his feet, only to totter and 
195 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


slump down as limberly as if his legs had been 
wax and suddenly melted. 

Don’t try that, Clam — don’t try it ag’in,” 
said the tattooed man, half scoldingly. ’Phone 
me if it wouldn’t jar the jam. If worst comes 
to worst, me and Tad will git you to the town 
hotel together.” 

Tad had attempted to catch Calamity and 
lessen his fall to the pallet of hay. He was 
kneeling now beside his friend, and begging 
him to wait. 

What Watt intended to do the boy only faint- 
ly conjectured. Tom had informed him early 
in the evening that Bill was not to be opposed, 
and that this was none of their pie.” At most, 
the little chap expected the use of a wagon to 
assist Calamity to town. Meantime the rain 
was falling once again in drops. A few came 
plashing down through the leaves of the tree. 

I’ll git a chunk of canvas to keep him kind 
of dry,” said the teamster who remained there 
with a torch. He departed swiftly, leaving the 
place in utter darkness. 

Meantime Watt and Mile. Arielle were more 
than fulfilling the promise of the lemonade 
vender to make a row.” He had stirred up 
a hornet’s nest about the ears of Bill. He had 
gone straightway to the partners of the show 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


— to all save Bill, who was brooding under 
cover with his dog. The profits of the show 
were being threatened, Watt declared. He and 
his wife had trained that boy to be the very 
finest inside-man that ever peddled lemonade. 
The boy was fetching money to the organiza- 
tion. He had friends. Each and every one 
would miss him, and feel it a personal griev- 
ance. Moreover, the boy was right! He was 
standing in with a friend, to the shame of them 
all ! The whole affair was an outrage — a blow 
at the pocket of the show ! 

This last was the argument that told. Like- 
wise Tad was more beloved than any one had 
suspected, till now he was just about to leave. 
The ticket-seller, the man who owned the ele- 
phants, the acrobatic partner, and Watt were 
all of one mind in a hurry. The ticket-seller 
it was, however, who went and bearded Bill in 
his den. 

He came forth white, but victorious. 

Put Calamity back on the roll, and back in 
the wagon right away!^’ he said. And the 
kid needn’t pay fer the doctor. We’ll send up- 
tovm to see what they’ve got — and I’ll foot the 
bill myself.” 

Tad was still waiting in the dark, alone, at 
Calamity’s side. The tattooed man had gone 
197 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


to join his voice to the chorus of protest. He 
was quite prepared to quit the show himself, 
he said, if a wretched affair like this could not 
be ended. 

Three husky teamsters, with Watt and his 
wife and the tattooed man, flanked by the ticket- 
selling partner himself, came swiftly to the 
scene at last with two of the torches for light. 
Diogenes, the pup, having managed his escape 
from his home wagon, came bounding before 
them to his worried little master. An omen 
of all things hopeful, lively and encouraging 
was young Diogenes, as he leaped against the 
kneeling boy and lapped at a freckle on his 
nose. 

Here, youngster, weVe got to git a move,’’ 
said the foremost teamster, as a spokesman for 
the crowd. Bill was only foolin’ — so he says. 
Calamity’s goin’ along. Hustle him back in 
the wagon, boys, we’re pretty near ready to 
start.” 

A sob broke suddenly from Tad’s pent heart. 
Mile. Arielle took him by the hand and led him 
back to the circus grounds in silence. 


XX 


THE PASSING OF SOLON 

HE doctor they found in the village 
that night remained with the show 
an hour, his horse being led at the 
rear of the covered wagon in which 
Calamity was riding. When he left 
he supplied the name and address 
of a brother physician residing at the village 
where the show would halt in the morning. 

A very sick man was Calamity for two hard 
days. Then the danger was passed, vitality 
came to his aid, and his appetite returned. He 
was soon on the road to recovery, thanks to the 
hardihood begotten by this very mode of life. 
Eor the man to have lived with less prompt 
attention would have been impossible. Tad 
had won the fight. 

In the meanwhile, for the very first time 
since becoming a member of the family, the 
big dog Solon had failed to appear and per- 
form in the ring. The dog was dying. Heart- 

14 199 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


broken, sick, with nothing to hope for, such as 
dogs desire, he had given up and ceased to care, 
and would do his tricks no more. 

Too late Bill knew he was pining away; too 
late he promised reforms — a run every evening 
and morning, an hour outside in the afternoon, 
and a sight, at least, of that pup — at thoughts 
of whom the man’s green envy boiled. 

Even now the man failed to understand that 
his dog would perform no more. A cold was 
not sufficient excuse for a dog to die. The 
broken heart, the worn-out spirit of longing, 
the hopeless waiting and waiting for that pup 
to come, or for Bill to relent and be really kind 
— these were subtle things that the dog could 
feel, but the man was denied their significance. 

Up to this final afternoon the man had com- 
manded his dog to go to the ring with himself 
for his act. Weakly, but obediently, the pa- 
tient animal had gone, to drag himself through 
the ordeal of the tricks with strength that 
sapped his very being; but to-day — to-day he 
had failed. He had fallen prostrate to the 
ground, half-way from the pad to the ring, to 
which, in one last effort at faithfulness, he had 
tried to follow his master. And now in the 
pad, which to him had been a prison, he lay 
with his heartbeat slowly ebbing. 

200 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


He lay absolutely still, only his two sad eyes 
giving signs of life, and these were dumbly 
fastened on the face of the man who knelt be- 
fore him. In their liquid depths one last, mute 
appeal was as plain as a speechless animal’s 
plea may be made. He wushed for one thing 
only — just a sight of that joyous, all - loving 
pup, and the boy whose heart embraced all the 
animal world. 

If Bill understood, then jealousy mastered 
him still. He crooned to his dog in a voice that 
was finally tender; he begged him for just a 
sign of friendship. He smoothed the tired head, 
and offered food, but he brought no pup. 

Outside the tent Tad was passing. He heard 
the croon of the worried man, and his heart 
went forth, even to Bill. He had seen that 
Solon was fearfully ill at the last performance. 
Mile. Arielle had even told him that she feared 
the dog would die. He was hovering just out- 
side the pad from sheer boyish yearning to help 
— to comfort the dog, or even the man, and try 
to lessen their burden. 

But even as he listened there, the end was 
coming fast. The voice of the man expressed a 
fear — a sudden, incurable fear. He pleaded 
for just one wag of Solon’s tail ; he surrendered 
jealously at last. 


201 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


For God’s sake, Bov, look up,” he begged. 

It’s Bill — it’s me — your friend ! You know 
me. Boy. I’ll bring the pup — I’ll bring you the 
pup this minute — every day ! I’ll do anything 
— anything. Boy — I’ll give in. God help me! 
My dog — ” 

With the last faint spark of vitality slipping 
from his heart, Solon gave one final motion with 
his tail. It was salutation, forgiveness, fare- 
well. The end had come. 

Tad, in his sympathy and comprehension, 
waited for nothing hut the man’s final agonized 
thought of the pup. He ran to the wagon where 
Diogenes was kept. Two minutes later he hurst 
upon Bill in the pad. lie had come the short- 
est way, beneath the wall, Diogenes held in his 
arms. 

He paused, however, at the sight of Bill’s 
white face, as the man knelt weakly on the 
ground, mutely patting the head, now still for- 
ever. 

The man was bereft of power to speak. He 
could only stare at the two young-hearted in- 
truders. But his gaze to the boy meant more 
than words. It said to him savagely, Go — 
and leave me with my dead 1” 

Tad cast a long look, even then, at the form 
of Solon, loved so profoundly from afar. From 
202 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


his eyes the tears rolled silently. He put his 
hand before his face and walked away without 
a word. 

Bill had not moved, and he did not move 
when boy and pup were gone. His hand still 
lay on the silken hair, which a passing draught 
was softly waving. He knelt there still when 
Mile. Arielle passed into the place and stood 
for a moment to stare. By the man’s very si- 
lence and attitude she knew. 

At dusk he went out, with the lifeless form 
of his dog in his arms. But where he went, 
and where it was that Solon found his final 
resting-place, was never known to any man but 
Bill. 


XXI 


DIOGENES REHEARSES 

OK two days Bill was a silent man, 
refusing companionship, repudiating 
sympathy, and going about his busi- 
ness with a hard, set look upon his 
face. Then his harsh ways, his cruel 
words, and his general severities re- 
turned, increased rather than diminished by 
his loss. 

Forty-eight hours of grace were allowed to 
the man before his partners hinted at the fact 
that the show depended less upon him now for 
attractions than it had while Solon was alive, 
that the loss to the programme, indeed, was 
very great, and that an educated dog had proved 
most magnetic, and was really quite essential 
to the scheme of the general performance. To 
this Bill could only reply that to find another 
dog would not he impossible, of course, but to 
get one fit for the business and then train him 
would require a reasonable time. 

204 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


At the end of the fifth performance without 
a dog, a fit of despondency had taken possession 
of all the circus partners. The fame of Solon 
had travelled. Undisguised growlings, com- 
plaints, and charges of fraud, misrepresenta- 
tion and cheating were heard from every newly 
gathered audience. 

!Now, the struggles of the circus to exist and 
pay expenses were already quite sufficient to be 
borne in peace by those on whose shoulders the 
burdens daily settled. The one common topic 
was failure; the show was all going to pieces. 
Partners, performers, teamsters, and roust- 
abouts, all were presently demanding an edu- 
cated dog. !hro blow ever struck at the organi- 
zation had been so hard to bear as this loss of 
Solon the faithful. 

The talk came rippling at first, then gushing 
to the ears of little Tad. For nearly two days a 
vague and wonderful dream had been flitting 
through his boyish mind — a dream of beholding 
Diogenes, his own beloved pup, performing 
those tricks in the ring, and receiving the plau- 
dits of the crowd. It was a wonderful dream 
— too golden to be true — just a fairy^s marvel- 
lous whisper of things impossible. But Tad 
could think of nothing else; his boyish brain 
was afire with glorious imaginings. 

205 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Three times that day he took Diogenes away 
to a place of concealment and put him through 
the tricks, rehearsing them all just as Bill had 
been accustomed to do when Solon was strong 
and well and willing. 

The pup performed them in his own quaint 
way, but knowingly. He understood the speech 
of Tad as well as Tad himself could under- 
stand. He thought for himself, moreover, and 
was wise in his doggish conclusions. He did 
not know, and he did not care, why it was that 
to-day he must needs repeat this wholly idiotic 
ritual so many times. It was quite sufficient 
that Tad desired him to do so, for Tad was a 
reasoning creature himself, even though fash- 
ioned as a human. But, then, when Tad took 
him down to a pond in a field, under cover of 
the dusk, and washed him quite all over with 
water and soap, Diogenes simply gave it up. 
There was no use attempting to solve such a 
riddle. The world had changed in a night. It 
was now no longer sane. 

To Tad, however, the sight of Diogenes 
cleanly scrubbed was a revelation. He had 
never so much as suspected what a handsome 
pup the scamp had grown to be. His fuzzy hair 
had become a tawny coat, not too long, slightly 
curled, and even glossy. And the awkward ways 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


of bumping about and running crookedly were 
disappearing. A certain sort of grace and con- 
fidence were attaching themselves to Diogenes’ 
movements. Yet for every time that he cast a 
look at the two bright, mischievous eyes with 
which that pup kept watch upon his movements, 
Tad was obliged to fall on his knees and give 
his dog a hug, and treat him precisely as if he 
would always be a funny pup, lovable, irre- 
sponsible and happy. 

The feverish excitement in possession of Tad 
was not long abated by this latest wonder in the 
beauty of Diogenes. Together they hastened to 
the tents again, arriving just in time for sup- 
per. Far too excited to eat in his customary 
manner of heartiness, the boy sat there watch- 
ing an influential friend — the partner in the 
organization who daily sold the tickets. 'No 
sooner did this gentleman arise from the board 
than Tad was in his wake — leaving pudding 
unconsumed. 

The man, whose name was Hardy, was quite 
unaware of the fact that Tad was on his trail 
till he started to enter the tent. Then a faint, 
quavering utterance arrested his attention. Tad 
had spoken. 

‘^'VVhy — Mr. Hardy,” he stammered, when 
the ticket -seller turned to see who it was, I 
207 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


thought — I thought I’d like to see you — a 
minute and tell you — I mean, I’ve heard you 
need a new one — need an educated dog*” 

You, is it. Tad ?” said Hardy, looking with 
admiration on the flushed little face, beneath a 
flaring torch. What about a dog ? We do 
need a dog. We need one badly. What have 
you got on your mind about a dog ?” 

^‘Diogenes!” said Tad. My pup Di- 
ogenes.” 

“ That funny — Your pup Diogenes ?” re- 
peated Hardy. What about him. Tad ? Do 
you want to have him trained? Do you want 
to let Bill take him and train him for the 
show ?” 

Oh no !” replied Tad, emphatically. He’s 
already trained. I trained him myself. He 
can do all the tricks — and some others. But 
he doesn’t like Bill, I’m afraid — not a bit — 
and 1 think he’d only do his tricks for me.” 

The ticket-seller looked at Tad intently. He 
Was chewing a big cigar. He always chewed 
a great cigar, which he never lighted to smoke. 
He munched it now with exceptional vigor. 

What are you givin’ me ?” he said, at last. 
“ You’re a pretty good boy. Tad, pretty good, 
and steady — but what do you know about train- 
ing a dog ?” 


20S 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Nothing,” answered Tad, honestly and 
promptly. I only know Diogenes. He and 
I understand each other, that’s all. And when 
I tell him to do a thing he does it. I may have 
to stand him up and tell him I’ll give him a 
spank, but he does things every time.” 

Huh ! And you’ve taught him all of So- 
lon’s tricks?” 

Tad hung his head. He thought he was some- 
how being accused of some sort of theft. 

I started in long ago,” he confessed. I 
didn’t want any dog to he smarter than Di- 
ogenes. 

Where is your dog ?” demanded Hardy. 

You fetch him to me in the pad.” 

Tad darted away like a shot. In the briefest 
time possible, Mr. Hardy saw the wall of the 
pad abruptly lifted, and boy and pup, with 
hoop and Tad’s paraphernalia, were before him. 
Then and there he experienced a new sensation. 
Diogenes was clean. 

The man sat down on a trunk, squinted his 
eyes and rolled that cigar in his teeth. Tad 
\vaited breathlessly. Diogenes was only im- 
pressed with a strong desire to get down from 
Tad’s arms and see what fun could be made 
with all the circus toggery. 

Not a had-looking dog,” observed the man, 
209 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


from his critical point of view. Maybe Bill 
could really do something with him.” 

Tad’s heart sank in fear and distress. This 
was far from being what he had dreamed. It 
was something on which he could not hear to 
think. It was quite impossible. 

I — I don’t think Bill would suit this pup,” 
he said, ingenuously. Please don’t sic Bill 
onto poor Diogenes.” 

Hardy chewed ferociously on his weed. He 
was enormously pleased with Tad, but here was 
a matter of much concern — a possible solution 
of troubles. And to his mind Bill, whatever 
his failings, was a proven success in the train- 
ing of dogs. 

Well, never mind Bill for the present,” he 
said. Let’s see what Diogenes can do.” 

Tad put down his dog. Diogenes immedi- 
ately made a dive for a nice pair of tights, and 
flung them up, while he squirmed about, suc- 
ceeding with one quick motion in wrapping 
himself completely around with the flimsy gar- 
ment. 

You bad, bad dog !” said Tad, reprovingly. 
He spatted the pup with the lightest of hands, 
recovered the tights, and placed them out of 
reach. How you stop that! You behave!” 
he added. I’ll spank you hard if you don’t. 

210 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


]^ow vou listen to me. You’re going to do your 
tricks and act like an educated dog.” 

From the tremulous excitement of a moment 
before, Tad had been reduced to calm and his 
natural self by these natural antics of the pup. 

The man observed the sympathy and under- 
standing that existed between the dog and boy, 
and nodded approvingly. The tractable side 
of Diogenes’ character appealed to him at once. 
But his greatest surprise was to come. 

Tad began the rehearsal. 

Instantly obedient, if not instantly bent upon 
his own quaint intention of doing exceptionally 
well, Diogenes squared himself about like a 
major, trotted along and back with Tad, as if 
they were entering the ring, then came to a 
halt, very graceful to see, and solemnly bowed 
to his audience — the one man sitting on a trunk. 

It was certainly well worth the price of 
admission, all by itself, to see that half -grave, 
half-comical Diogenes perform the tricks which 
poor, broken-hearted Solon had made so famil- 
iar to the ticket-seller’s ken. It was even yet 
more amusing to see little Tad, unconsciously 
imitating all the airs and manners of Bill. The 
fulness of doggish grace was not yet bestowed 
upon Diogenes. There were slightly awkward, 
puppy ways about his performance that added 
211 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


to its charm. It was all so obviously fresh, 
youthful, and honest. If the ease with which 
Solon had enacted the tricks somewhat lacked, 
there was vigor, sincerity, pure love of his 
prowess and absolute freedom from artificial- 
ity in all that Diogenes did. 

When he stood on his head he was whimsical ; 
when restored to his proper attitude he was 
glad, and expected a pat. When he walked 
erect on his two hind feet, to march and to 
carry a flag, his head was slightly cocked to one 
side, his two bright eyes were gleaming, and his 
lively little nose was busily inventing new ex- 
pressions. 

There was nothing of Solon’s ordinary pro- 
gramme eliminated. One or two variations to 
the somersault and hoop- jumping, Diogenes in- 
variably added. Altogether he supplied a most 
diverting turn.” 

When he had finished, it seemed to Tad the 
act had been far too short, too quickly con- 
cluded. Familiarity with each and every de- 
tail had made his judgment inaccurate. He 
was worried now, as he looked at Mr. Hardy, 
for the man was intently staring at the ground 
and chewing with portentous industry. 

Bill can like it or not!” he announced with 
abrupt decision, presently. We’ll put you on 
212 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


to-night. Your lemonade duds will do for a 
spell, but the main thing’s to git you in the 
ring.” 

You mean — you mean we can do it 
gasped little Tad, scarcely daring to believe he 
had heard aright. You’ll let Diogenes try ?” 

Sure,” said the man. We need a dog 
more than we need Bill — and he’s the only one 
who could kick. You be ready with the dog, 
here in the pad, when it comes the time for 
your turn. And when you go out don’t be 
scared. Don’t look at the people. Do it just 
the same as you done it here for me. Do you 
think you can ?” 

“Yes, sir; I think so,” Tad replied, and his 
face grew pale, then flushed with the conscious- 
ness of what it all implied. 


XXII 

THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE 

HAT night was as fine as if Dame 
Xature had been practising for years, 
and had finally produced something 
to her liking. The moon, in its 
golden first quarter, rose early on 
the scene of softened white structures 
which the tents became, and a balmy air stirred 
the circus banners gracefully. 

In the afternoon the attendance had been 
light. This evening a great throng of working- 
men and girls came streaming to the show, for 
the village boasted two busy factories, both of 
which had kept the hands from deserting the 
work in the day. 

To Tad every moment was an soon, rife with 
excitement. The news had gone to the farthest 
limits of the show — the news that he and Di- 
ogenes were to make their debut in the role 
so long sacred to . Bill and Solon. Astonish- 
ment, doubts, secret rejoicing, incredulity, and 
214 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


wonder — these were a few of the many emotions 
and results begotten by the rumors. Calamity, 
alone of all the circus family, laid claim to hav- 
ing known all the time what Tad was doing. 
He was known to be the confidant of both the 
boy and pup; there was no one to contradict 
his statement, hut there were many to envy the 
limping old fellow his place in Tad’s affections. 

Bill, in common with the others, had received 
the new intelligence at first with unbelief. The 
ticket-seller himself it was who dispelled all 
doubts from his partner’s mind. A mood more 
embittered than any he had known for days 
found lodgment in Bill’s sullen nature then 
and there. He had hated the boy from the first. 
Tad’s triumph of a week before, when Calamity 
was crowded, as it were, down Bill’s very throat, 
had brought about a fury in the man’s blood 
and bone that had only been unnurtured be- 
cause of the greater emotions engendered in his 
bosom by the sickness and death of his dog. 
But Bill had not forgotten. To-night there was 
all of that to rankle in his breast on top of this 
present piece of impudence. 

Bill called it all a fraud because he wished 
it would prove to be a wretched imposition. 
He hoped the boy would fail — both he and the 
pup. Had opportunity suggested the means, 

IS 215 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


the man would have stooped to almost any atroc- 
ity whereby Diogenes and Tad should come to 
ridicule or shame while attempting the act. 

In his mind Bill was certain they must fail. 
Hardy was a fool. He knew less than nothing 
concerning dogs or a dog’s circus performance. 
He simply liked the kid, and would suffer the 
whole organization to meet humiliation in his 
craze to get another dog into the ring. This 
miserable pup and a brat of a boy- — what could 
they do with an act so fine as that ? The sneer 
that curled his lip and put a sting in his speech 
had a very depressing effect on the acrobatic 
partner and the man who owned the elephants, 
both of whom were easily affected by Bill’s 
domineering ways. 

Tad sold no lemonade at this performance. 
Hardy declared the boy would require all his 
nerve and all his strength. He was not to be 
worried and wearied by the work. Watt was 
deeply disappointed ; he was even annoyed. His 
wife, however, calmed him down. 

It had to come. We had to expect it, some 
fine day,” he said. A smart little feller like 
him ain’t goin’ to peddle lemonade all his life. 
Look at me. Do I sell lemonade? I’m glad 
he’s got the chance — and so are you !” 

But to Tad, in the dressing-room tent with 
216 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


his pup, the ordeal of waiting was tremendous. 
He was nervous and cold, or nervous and con- 
sumed by heat, with every passing moment. De- 
spite the fact that wonderful things were going 
on about him — acrobats, riders, clown, and all 
coming in and going out, dressing, undressing, 
scolding, and eating apples, while horses and 
hoops, banners, and trappings were taken back 
and forth — despite all this, he could never es- 
cape a strangely persistent sub-consciousness 
that presently he and Diogenes must venture 
forth to that wonderful ring all alone. His 
heart thumped mightily against its walls quite 
as often as the pad distractions ceased and he 
felt his moment drawing yet a little more near. 

He had tied Diogenes securely to a stake 
from which nothing destructible could be reach- 
ed. From time to time, then, the little fellow 
walked to the entrance of the show-tent near at 
hand, to peek forth on the wondrous scene. 

It was far more wonderful from here than 
from any view he had ever been permitted to 
enjoy. The lights on the great main poles were 
ceaselessly dancing in the breeze, flinging shad- 
ows all grotesque with motion on the bulging, 
breathing walls and ceiling of the tent. On 
the seats, tier on tier of human beings sat, with 
faces peculiarly white and uniform on the 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

background of black, which predominated al- 
ways. 

It was all like a dream to the outcast boy, 
for his nerves were strung to the highest ten- 
sion. From such an inspection as this he re- 
turned to his place just as the acrobatic partner 
of the show came hurrying in from his act. 
The clown was on, howling at the audience 
and kicking his hat from his own pursuing 
head, to the never - failing enjoyment of the 
throng. 

The acrobat, in passing Tad, threw off a 
bright green sash. Diogenes leaped up and 
caught it in the air. He was just about to show 
a small but select audience what could really 
be done with a rag like that when Tad arrived 
at the rescue. 

The incident furnished a happy diversion. 
Tad was still admonishing his frisky pup when 
Hardy suddenly appeared. 

Tad, go on,” he said, in nervous hoarse- 
ness. We won’t have your turn come last on 
the bill to-night. You can tackle it now.” 

Tad had been dressed and in readiness all 
evening. His red satin jacket was quite a 
striking costume for any performer to wear. 
He looked up at Hardy boyishly. 

“Do you mean for me and Diogenes to go 
218 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


and do the tricks right now he inquired. 

Has it come our turn V’ 

Yep ! — go on !” instructed Hardy. The 
clown is announcing you now, and your things 
are in the ring.” 

He thrust a small red whip into Tad^s limber 
hand, and hustled him towards the circus en- 
trance. 

Wait till I get the pup,” said Tad. IVe 
got to have the pup.” 

He quickly unfastened Diogenes, and started. 
A pink-legged vision abruptly darted upon him. 
It was Mile. Arielle. She clapped a pretty 
cap upon his head, and gave him a kiss on 
the cheek. She had made the cap within the 
hour. 

J ust pretend there’s nobody there,” she 
said, and she gave him a push of encourage- 
ment. 

Tad and his dog went forth. 

For a moment the hoy felt his legs most odd- 
ly weakening beneath him. The stillness of 
the audience, the concentration of all those eyes 
upon him, gave his heart a new sensation of 
alarm that threatened his utter collapse. 

He walked forward slowly, Diogenes trotting 
at his heels. Some one who liked their appear- 
ance began to applaud. A wave of hand-clap- 
219 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


ping swept around the tent. Diogenes paused, 
and let out one sharp hark of puppy response. 
Tad was partially jarred back to things of an 
ordinary nature. 

Pup ! You behave !’’ he commanded, in an 
undertone. You come along aud act like a 
grown-up man !” 

Diogenes followed, with a funny little growl. 
They stepped across the edge of the ring. Tad 
knew by a species of automatic memory that 
out on the carpet in the centre of the ring, 
where hoop and things were assembled, was the 
place in which poor Solon had always done his 
act. 

Again in the grasp of a nervous apprehen- 
sion and stage fright that he could not over- 
come, the boy half stumbled at the edge of the 
carpet and flirted his whip in the air. That 
was enough for Diogenes. He romped gladly 
forward, took a gulp at Tad’s shins, then espied 
the end of a rope that hung near the centre pole, 
made a dive for it, clutched it in his teeth, and 
tugged as mightily as if he expected and in- 
tended to haul down all the tent. 

After that, what was left for Tad to do hut 
simply to become a hoy and not a star of the 
ring? He was after Diogenes immediately, 
and the pup, to do him credit, obeyed Tad’s 
220 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


murmured orders with comical gravity that set 
all the audience to laughing. 

Far from being complimented by the risibili- 
ties thus excited in the tent, Tad was aroused to 
show them what that pup could really do. He 
gave Diogenes just the smallest of stings with 
his whip and fetched him to his senses. 

Pup, youTe going to do your tricks !’’ he 
said, sotto voce, and Diogenes plainly under- 
stood. 

He squared away with considerable grace 
and made his very first bow to the great, exact- 
ing public. Tad was himself on the instant. 
He meant to show these folks that his pup 
could do anything but speak. 

He did. In his graceful, ingenuous way, con- 
veying always a sense of boyish honesty and 
sweetness of nature, little Tad put his dog 
through all the performance in a way to do the 
greatest artist credit. Their very youth, their 
comradeship, the obvious love that they bore 
for each other, had a moving effect on all that 
wondering throng. 

The people laughed, with tears in their eyes, 
they knew not why. They clapped their hands 
without for a moment relaxing a nerve of at- 
tention. They watched it all with an interest 
such as no other act, howsoever amazing or won- 
221 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


derful, had been able to stir in their natures. 
They were seeing far more than they thought 
they saw — the beauty of two little outcast souls 
united in perfect trust and friendship. 

There were certain little crudities, certain 
imperfections, which perhaps a sophisticated 
few might have noted, but for sheer sincerity 
in an effort to please, and for sheer human 
fellowship towards audience and all the world, 
there could have been no spectacle more perfect. 

Through all the tricks, and through a few of 
his own invention, Diogenes proceeded, with 
puppy gravity and humor combined. Tad 
wished him to show them all he could do — all, 
that is, save the saying of his prayers. That 
was not a circus trick, hut a sacred rite, for 
their bedside privacy. 

And so it ended. A mighty outburst of ap- 
plause went clattering and roaring to the top- 
most peak of the swaying tent when the two 
made their quaint little bow. Then back to the 
pad, so pleased he wished to cry, went the ear- 
nest little fellow with his pup. 

When he came t(v the place he discovered that 
for some extraordinary reason Mile. Arielle and 
the usually sober Mr. Hardy were dancing 
about in the dressing-room tent like a pair of 
hilarious sprites. 


XXIII 


BILL MAKES OVERTURES 

lOGEXES became a settled institu- 
tion of the show. That his tricks 
were repeated the following day, at 
both performances, was a matter of 
course. It was precisely what every 
one desired — all except the sullen 
Bill. The day had been saved ; the programme 
was again complete; the circus could hold up 
its head, and point with pride to the “ canine 
climax — the poodle paradox,’’ which Diogenes 
was soon declared to be. 

So elated, indeed, were the partners of the 
enterprise that green -and -red hand -bills were 
speedily printed and scattered about in every 
village, announcing in high-flown language that 
a Dog Star, new to the flr^^ ament of tented en- 
tertainments, had risen on the startled horizon 
to amaze the circus-going world with his mar- 
vellous brilliance. Diogenes and Company ” 

would positively appear at each and every per- 
223 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


formance, so it announced. Fortunately for 
modest Diogenes, this extravagant praise was 
blazoned forth in a language which, as yet, he 
could not read. As for Tad, the unworldly 
little fellow was absolutely happy — happy to 
think his pup could win such tremendous ad- 
miration. He gave all the credit to Diogenes, 
and took not a particle himself. He entered 
the ring on each occasion with unspoiled, boyish 
simplicity, gave the audience the best that was 
in himself and his pup, and was amply paid 
by the honest applause they evoked. It was 
always new, it was always delightful to show 
how clever a dog could be — a dog once thrown 
in a river to be drowned because he lacked a 
friend. And the friends they had about them 
now ! — the clown, the acrobats, the bosses,’’ 
and even the proud and haughty Miss Chiffon 
Gray! 

The show went on; it was always going on. 
Rest there was none, for the season was flying, 
the profits were small, and haste seemed the 
only means by which the nimble quarters could 
be captured. If the fame of Solon and his 
master had run before the show, of old, that of 
Diogenes and Tad appeared to fly. There was 
never a day that the in-pouring throng was not 
increased in size by the knowledge that the boy 
224 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


and his wonderful performing dog would he 
certain to appear at both performances. 

So important became this feature of the 
circus that before a week had passed it became 
expedient to enlarge on the time devoted to the 
turn.” Tad therefore invented a trick of his 
own for Diogenes to try. It was simply the 
rolling of a hoop about the ring, Diogenes hold- 
ing a stick in his mouth as a boy would hold it 
in his hand for the purpose, but it made a great 
success. To this was added another, suggested 
by Mile. Arielle. A sprinkling-pot and a small 
umbrella were the properties.” With the 
sprinkler Tad created a rain-storm. Instantly 
Diogenes caught the opened umbrella in his 
teeth, flung it up and gripped it tightly by the 
handle, to hold it jauntily over his head, then 
proceeded to walk in the rain. 

Indeed, it seemed as if that pup could learn 
anything in reason that a dog has the strength 
to perform. He did it all, however, from a 
love of Tad and fun. The attachment grew 
between the pair with every day, and upward 
they climbed in the love and affection of all. 

On all this change the sullen Bill was scowl- 
ing in a mood that no one took the time to ob- 
serve. The man was losing his grip on the 
show with every village visited. He spoke but 
225 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


rarely to any one, and never in a tone of civil- 
ity, except when addressing his partners. He 
had seen a boy usurp his place ; he had seen his 
grown associates accept this stripling and his 
ill-trained dog as if they were artists of finish. 

With sneers and scorn he had made an at- 
tempt to shelve both Tad and Diogenes, at first, 
but to no avail. After all, the decision of the 
audience, and the audience alone, could affect 
the circus policy. And the people were pleased. 
There was not a man connected with the show 
who did not observe that the favor with which 
the people accepted Tad and Diogenes was far 
in excess of anything ever accorded to Solon, 
the faithful, whose heart had gone out of his 
work. What was the use of discussion, of sneer- 
ing, of trying to belittle the boy and his pup ? 
The partners declared the pair were more than 

making good.” Bill’s rage took another di- 
rection. 

He meditated evil things — poison, or any 
fatal harm that might befall a dog, but these he 
surrendered. The death of Diogenes would 
profit nothing — even to a man like himself. 
And the dog was smart ; this Bill acknowledged, 
though it made him curse with jealousy. In ad- 
dition to all his other injuries, the man clearly 
saw that the value of his services to the organi- 
226 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


zation had so far diminished as to amount, prac- 
tically, to nothing. 

In dire straits he battled with a sullen, stub- 
born mood which for several days withheld 
him from a purpose that his thoughts had 
finally suggested. Then he beat down the spe- 
cies of pride which had stood in his way and 
went to Tad. 

It was early in the evening. The first veil 
of dusk was creeping along in the shadows of 
the valley in which the show had halted for the 
meed of village coins. Tad and Diogenes had 
run to a lake they had noticed when coming to 
the town. Having seen them go. Bill had wait- 
ed. He met them returning, for he had no de- 
sire to be seen or overheard in his contemplated 
interview with the boy. 

Fully a hundred yards from the tents he 
halted for Tad and the pup to approach. Boy 
and dog beheld him together. They paused, 
then came more slowly forward. Which of the 
two disliked and mistrusted Bill the more would 
have been very hard to determine. 

Been fer a walk and a bath, I see,” said the 
man, attempting to modulate his voice to a 
friendly tone. Good idea. I didn’t give So- 
lon exercise enough. Too late when I found 
it out.” 


227 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Tad’s sympathies were worked upon, precise- 
ly as the man had intended. 

It was too bad. I was very sorry,” said the 
little fellow, honestly. He was a very smart 
dog. I guess he knew more than my pup.” 

This was a graceful, generous tribute to the 
memory of Solon, but it fell on unappreciative 
ears. Bill had not come out like this to listen 
to praises of the dog whose heart he had broken. 

I^ow, that awkward pup of yours,” he said, 
nodding at Diogenes, if he had the right kind 
of training he’d make a fairly valuable animal. 
He’s gittin’ into ways that will spoil him in less 
than a month.” 

Tad’s confidence fell. He was only a boy, 
and here was a man, apparently taking an in- 
terest in Diogenes, and saying these terribly 
discouraging things. 

“ \Yhy — what’s the matter ? What is he do- 
ing ?” he asked, in much concern. I don’t 
suppose I know very much about such things.” 

It takes years of practice,” said the man. 

Some of these fools would try to make you 
think your dog was doin’ fine — but what do 
they know about a dog — and an educated dog at 
that ? Do men git their education from a boy ? 
Ain’t a dog a kind of a canine man ? You done 
your best, but no kid can educate a dog.” 

228 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Tad was thoroughly depressed. This man 
knew things — that was conceded. He had 
prompted all this trick business in the boy’s 
mind. He was authority on educated dogs. 
His logic was not to be disputed. Tad felt al- 
most like a criminal — a meddler, at the least. 

“ I didn’t know,” he said. I only did my 
best.” 

Oh, you could learn in a few years, if you 
only had dogs enough to practice on — and 
spoil,” said Bill, condescendingly. How, if 
I had that dog — ” 

He left the sentence incomplete, and looked 
at Diogenes, meanwhile shaking his head, as 
if in the gravest of doubts. Tad felt the most 
sickening misgivings. His impulse was to 
kneel down instantly and clasp his beloved 
Diogenes in his arms before it might perhaps be 
too late. He made no reply, and presently Bill 
continued. 

Look here,” he said, you’re a pretty good 
boy, and I’ve been watching you right along. 
I said to myself I’d like to do something fer 
just such a kid as you. I wouldn’t do it fer 
any one else, but I’ll give you two dollars fer 
the dog. Then I’ll train him right, and you’ll 
live to be proud of the day you and me struck 
up a bargain. What do you say ?” 

229 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


This time Tad’s impulse was obeyed. He 
sank to the earth abruptly to take his dog in his 
hands. Diogenes bristled and glared at Bill as 
if most abominably affronted by this offer. 

Oh, no, no, no — I couldn’t sell Diogenes,” 
said Tad, in alarm. I couldn’t — not even if 
he never learns anything right.” 

And you don’t want a smart dog fetched 
up proper, and learned his tricks decent and 
respectable ?” demanded Bill, already impa- 
tient and plainly revealing his teeth. He 
ain’t worth the money. He’s a mongrel — no 
good breed in him to save his neck. I wouldn’t 
want him if Solon hadn’t died. But dogs al- 
ways like me — and I like dogs. I’ll stretch a 
point and give you five dollars, on the nail.” 

Oh no,” said Tad, horrified at such a sug- 
gestion. 1^0, sir ! — I couldn’t sell my pup.” 

I^ot fer ten dollars ?” cried the man, becom- 
ing angered. He ain’t worth half the money, 
but I’ll give it to you just ’cause you’re a boy 
— a pretty good boy. And not another cent! 
Ten dollars. I’ll give it to you now!” He 
thrust his hand in his pocket and drew the 
money forth. Enraged to think of surrender- 
ing a sum so large, he nevertheless meant to 
close a deal then and there and o^vn that dog. 
That a boy could be invulnerable to the sight 
230 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


and sound of such a price had never occurred 
to his mind. He advanced a step to thrust the 
bills in the little fellow^s hand and take Di- 
ogenes in charge. 

Tad sprang up with a cry, as if in pain. 
Diogenes, large as he was growing, was fiercely 
clasped in his anns. 

“ Hot for a thousand million dollars !” Tad 
cried, abruptly. I wouldn’t sell him for the 
world ! My pup ! I wouldn’t sell him for any- 
thing — nor all the money in the whole United 
States! And I’ve got to run right back and 
water Biff.” 

He dropped Diogenes actively. 

Pup !” he cried, and off they sped together, 
running as fast as they could go, Diogenes bark- 
ing and glad, his master excited and alarmed. 

Curse the kid !” said Bill, in his wrath. 

I’ll make you sorry fer this !” 

His face drew down to a scowl of ferocity 
and malice as he turned to go back to the tents. 

i6 


XXIV 


THE MAKING OF AN ARTIST 

AD and Diogenes became inseparable. 
They ate together, played together, 
worked together, and slept together 
always when the day was done. A 
boy’s fear is a lasting fear, deep- 
rooted, alert, unresting. Tad was 
harassed by his fear of Bill and the man’s de- 
signs upon Diogenes. That the man was a 
coward he did not know, but he knew too well 
how cruel Bill could be, and having discovered 
that the one thing the man now coveted was his 
dog, he could never again be unpossessed of sus- 
picion. 

Tad’s career in lemonade was at an end. He 
would never be likely now to achieve the em- 
inence in the vending of the drink which Watt 
had so generously predicted. To attend to Di- 
ogenes properly and perform his part on the bill 
twice a day was all the little chap could be ex- 
pected to do, with reasonable excellence. Watt 
232 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


daily grumbled, and the lemonade receipts 
diminished; but JIardy was firm. Tad was 
now his protege. He was moving towards the 
top. There should be no weight of this red- 
acid truck ’’ to hold him down. Watt was once 
more peddler of his wares. 

On through the endless procession of villages 
went the show. The tale of its hardships fre- 
quently changed in small particulars, but wor- 
ry, struggle, privations, and discouragements 
were the lot of all that restless family. 

Ten days of working with his dog in the ring, 
and Tad was becoming quite as accustomed to 
his part as he had been to selling lemonade. 
He took on no airs of assurance, he never for 
a moment appeared too smart, or spoiled; he 
never forgot the gentle teachings he had once 
received at the knee of his mother. He was still 
the sweet, lovable boy he had been at the first 
— honest, playful, loyal to his friends, and be- 
lieving implicitly in all the world, particularly 
its animal inhabitants. 

He and Diogenes slept in better quarters now, 
but Calamity was still their boon companion. 
It was he with whom they spent an idle hour, 
so often as it came, and he it was whom they 
always found the same — a cheery, bright-eyed, 
philosophic old rogue, limping about at his 
233 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


tasks with a smile on his face, no matter how 
discouraging the miseries of rain, poor food, 
or overwork. 

The bond between little Tad and Biff had 
never been suffered to relax. Under the gen- 
tling influence of the hoy the horse had become 
entirely tractable. The better-natured teamsters 
now approached him with never a thought of 
his former viciousness. 

And one more friend there was that the pup 
refused to neglect. This was Eamm, the shack- 
led elephant, who confessed to no friendships 
save with hold Diogenes, to whom he now gave a 
cordial reception, quite openly, whensoever oc- 
casion was afforded. 

Bill, for his part, had seemed to subside. In 
common with the others who comprised the cir- 
cus company, he was worried by the meagre 
weekly profits of the show. He had taken the 
ringmaster’s place, and performed his work in 
addition to the general supervision of affairs 
outside. The former ringmaster became a sec- 
ond clown. It was all in the line of effort to 
build up the organization, and make it more 
attractive. Two tentfuls of people, six days in 
the week, were absolutely essential to the life 
of the business. There was back pay due to all 
the performers. As for Tad, he got no pay. 

234 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


The dog did the work, and how was it possible 
to pay a dog a weekly wage ? 

This was the one comfort Bill had remain- 
ing, when he thought of the boy and his dog. 
Pondering schemes concerning the pair was a 
constant employment of BilFs, for he had never 
ceased to curse little Tad, or to plot new designs 
on his pup. 

It was thoughts of the boy, in connection 
with the wretched financial condition of the 
circus, that prompted a brilliant scheme in the 
mind of Bill, and busied his thoughts for two 
consecutive days. At the end of this time he 
went to Hardy direct. Hardy had assumed a 
management, not only over Tad and his edu- 
cated dog, but also over all the inside attrac- 
tions. 

Hardy,” said Bill, do you know what^s 
the trouble with the show 

Yes, it’s pretty rotten,” answered Hardy. 

Two elephants ain’t a menagerie, the side- 
show’s just about the limit, and the show we 
give inside has got just one cracker jack feature 
— Tad and his pup. It’s the best we can do, 
though, far as I can see. What’s on your mind ?” 

Ain’t it ever come up to you we could git 
up more cracker jack features?” Bill inquired. 

Don’t you know that these days people are 
235 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


crazy to see a kid perform? Why does your 
boy loom up so big on the bill ? ’Cause he’s a 
kid. His dog ain’t a patch on what Solon used 
to be. It’s the boy. The fool of a public likes 
to see a kid.” 

Well, I guess they do,” assented Hardy. 

What about it ? We can’t pick up a kid like 
him every day in the year.” 

Ho, but what’s he doin’ all day but that one 
turn, lastin’ less than fifteen minutes?” Bill 
demanded. Hardy, that boy is smart. He’s 
likely. What’s the matter with learnin’ him 
a turn of his own ? Teach him to walk on the 
wire. Every decent show in the country’s got a 
tight-rope walker, or a slack-wire man, and the 
kid could learn to do it as well as not.” 

Hardy placed a large cigar in his mouth, and 
began to chew it to a pulp. 

He could never learn it sooner,” he an- 
swered. You’ve got to begin on ’em early to 
teach ’em the circus business right. The ones 
that grow up with the show are always the 
best.” 

Put it Up to the kid this afternoon,” said 
Bill. I think it ’ll tickle him to death.” 

Bill, I guess you’ve hit a nobby scheme,” 
was Hardy’s answer. I’ll see how he takes 
the suggestion.” 


236 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Therefore it was that the idea appeared to 
come from Hardy himself, when Tad was con- 
sulted that evening. That neither the boy nor 
dog had conceived a great fondness for Bill, 
the ticket - selling partner in the business was 
well aware. Ho mention of Bill was made 
when the proposition was presented. 

As Bill had expected. Tad embraced the new 
opportunity to make himself useful with genu- 
ine enthusiasm. The matter was settled in a 
breath, so far as Tad himself was concerned. 
The matter of tight-rope or wire was debated 
at length by the acrobats, trapezists, and Mile. 
Arielle, all of whom had enjoyed a long ex- 
perience. 

The rope was selected in the end. It was 
easier to learn, according to many of the vet- 
erans — who, by the way, had never attempted 
to perform on either rope or wire — it was far 
more showy, because of the height from the 
ground at which it could always be stretched, 
and people understood it better, whether de- 
picted on the posters or actually witnessed in 
the ring. 

A rope was procured, and the teamster who 
acted as a carpenter when occasion demanded, 
fashioned the stilts, or supports, across which 
the rope would be stretched. 

237 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Rehearsals were conducted in the pad, no 
matter what the act. There were always re- 
hearsals in progress there, before and during 
and after each performance. The circus folk 
worked very hard, indeed, to maintain a stand- 
ard of skill. 

Tad’s rope was installed conveniently in the 
dressing-room tent, just as if it had always been 
a regular part of the business of setting up the 
canvas. It was close to the ground for his first 
attempts, and would slowly be raised as his 
skill and confidence increased. On all the 
preparations. Tad bent his attentions with the 
greatest of interest and hope. He wished to 
become a very fine artist indeed. And all was 
at last in readiness for his practice to begin. 

The earnest little fellow began to work at his 
novel undertaking. Provided with tough-soled 
stockings and a pole to help him hold his 
balance, he was placed in the hands of Mile. 
Arielle and told he was smart and would 
master the trick in a week. 

He tried. A willing, ambitious little fel- 
low, his one desire was to please, to perfect 
himself as rapidly as possible and prove him- 
self a credit to his friends. He ventured on 
the rope with tireless industry; he worked far 
too hard every day. Skill, however, eluded his 
238 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


efforts, and mastery seemed very far, indeed, 
in tlie distance. 

There was something about that rope, he was 
sure, that was wrong. He fell repeatedly, 
striking on the rope itself or on the earth at 
either side, till his legs were sore, his arms were 
bruised, and his ribs were black and blue. 
Every afternoon and evening he was faithfully 
performing in the ring with his dog, but before 
his turn and after his turn he was fighting his 
battle with the rope. 

Mr. Hardy and Mile. Arielle watched his 
struggle with genuine sympathy. That the boy 
was not an equilibrist, neither knew. It seemed 
to them he had merely to fight it out and win. 
But the skill they expected to behold in process 
of evolution was of painfully slow develop- 
ment. Tad had not been born for the rope. 
He was simply an honest, eager little chap, 
ready and anxious to give the very best that lay 
in his body or his soul to gratify these beloved 
foster-parents, who had given him a circus for 
a home. 

But if Tad somewhat lacked in that peculiar 
faculty by which a human being may learn to 
defy the laws of gravitation, he certainly lacked 
nothing of persistency. The rope was no longer 
a thing to contemplate with joy; it was some- 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


thing almost to dread. Yet he clung to his 
practice early and late, gradually acquiring a 
species of knack that answered his purposes in 
lieu of a genius for balancing. His confidence 
had soared on high before his falls commenced 
to reduce his boyish spirit; it sank very low 
when his body was bruised, and his back became 
the abiding-place of aches ; but now once more 
it was rising. 

On all this business Bill maintained a guard- 
ed watchfulness. What it was that the man 
expected, he only could have told, but trouble 
for Tad of some description had been at the 
root and foundation of the scheme from its very 
inception. 

Almost ready at last to relinquish all hope in 
Tad’s ability to aid the circus further by means 
of the rope-walking act. Hardy was just at the 
point of deciding against it as a failure when 
the first signs of Tad’s stubbornly acquired skill 
began to be manifest. Hardy waited. The 
rope was lifted higher from the ground, and 
Tad was slapped upon the back by all in the 
pad. He had come out well on top, said all his 
friends; he would soon be eating and sleeping 
on the rope. 

Meanwhile the circus had swung about a 
mighty circle of wanderings, and was rapidly 
240 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


approaching New York. It would never dream 
of playing in the great metropolis, of course, 
but Staten Island afforded several villages to 
which it would move on its orbit. 

On the morning when at last the wagons were 
ferried across from New Jersey to the island, 
the partners decided that Tad was sufficiently 
perfected in his act to give his tight-rope per- 
formance in the ring. It was Bill who had 
prompted this somewhat immature appearance 
of their eager little artist. Against this very 
hour, in fact, he had already provided new 
hand-bills on which the important announce- 
ment ” was made that Master Starbeam, the 
boy equilibrist — most high-priced artist of his 
age in the ring ” — would startle thronging au- 
diences with the most profoundly thrilling ex- 
hibition of skill now before the public. Be- 
neath this declaration appeared, in prominent 
type, the usual statement concerning Diogenes 
and Company, and the marvellous achieve- 
ments of the only positively brilliant Dog 
Star engaged by any show upon the road.” 
The show had two cracker jack features.” 

Tad worked very hard in the pad that day, 
so soon as his rope was in readiness. Near him, 
to give him encouragement, sat Diogenes, tied 
to a stake and nearly consumed with desires to 
241 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


lend his assistance. He had been there every 
day, to BilFs secret annoyance. Hardly for a 
moment were Tad and his dog to be found 
apart. Their work had only served to strengthen 
the bond of love and sympathy between them. 


XXV 


THE WAYS OF FATE 

E SPITE the fact that the bills were 
out, Tad did not appear in the ring 
that afternoon. At one o^clock he 
had a fall while practising, and while 
he had caught himself and avoided 
an injury, he had plainly been made 
too excited, too nervous for regular business. 

It was Hardy who came to this decision — 
Hardy, whose heart was tender towards the boy, 
who was ever so cheerful and willing. 

‘‘ We’ll let it go till to-night,” he said, re- 
assuringly. It’s easier, anyway, to start a 
turn at night. By to-morrow afternoon you’ll 
feel like an old-time hand on the rope.” 

Tad rested, except for his turn with Diogenes, 
and was formally visited by the haughty Miss 
Chiffon Gray and the tattooed man while the 
show was in progress in the tent. Miss Gray 
was not entirely prepared to receive Tad, even 
now, upon a footing of equality; but certain 
243 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


polite acknowledgments of his existence were 
not wholly incompatible with her dignity, even 
to offering a share of certain candies, a boxful 
of which she had recently received. 

When evening arrived the fates bestirred 
themselves, and again took a hand in the world- 
ly affairs not only of Tad, hut also of two of 
his former friends. Miss Winnie Blair, whose 
hat the gay young Diogenes had eaten at Ap- 
plegate’s farm much earlier in the season, was 
stopping with friends on Staten Island. Mr. 
Ilarcourt, who, in all this long time, had not 
so much as seen her once, had returned from a 
trip to Maine, and to-night was hoping he 
might see her once again. Winnie Blair at- 
tended the circus, with her friends, just for 
fun.” 

It was all because he did not wish to call 
where she lived that Ilarcourt also attended the 
show. He knew she would be in the audience. 
He came alone. The evening was chill, for the 
season was now well advanced, and frost was 
often in the breeze. Bundled in his overcoat, 
Mr. Harcourt wandered rapidly, blindly, from 
one circus feature to the next. He cared for 
none. He merely visited everything afforded 
by the tents in the hope of beholding Winnie 
Blair. In the side-show he scrutinized the faces 
244 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


of the visitors with keen impatience. The 
crowd there was fairly large. She was not to 
be seen. 

In the main tent he procured a reserved seat. 
The one he selected was a corner space, from 
which, as he argued, he would certainly be en- 
abled to study the face of every young woman 
who passed inside the barrier separating this 
portion of the benches from the ordinary seats. 

Unfortunately for his calculations. Miss 
Blair had passed the place fully fifteen minutes 
earlier. She was now quite near, but he did not 
detect her presence, and she had not discovered 
him. 

That night was a very dark night indeed, for 
clouds were scudding thickly in the sky, the 
moon had been gone for a week, and the pres- 
ence of many lofty trees about the grounds add- 
ed shadows most profound. The spaces about 
the circus-tents were fitfully lighted by the kero- 
sene torches, all of which were flaring wildly 
in a breeze of no mean velocity. 

Despite the fact that the village was large, 
the attendance was poor. To the ears of the 
circus proprietors came the melancholy news 
that a circus even less attractive than their own 
had recently paid a visit to the town and carried 
off far more money than its virtues warranted, 
245 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


leaving the populace suspicious of its kind. 
Also, certain parents had decided that one cir- 
cus at the end of a season was quite sufficient 
for the children to visit. 

There was nothing to do, however, hut to play 
to the half-tilled benches. The show began. 
Outside, the wind was steadily rising. The 
roustabouts began the customary work of pre- 
paring to move. 

By special arrangement, Diogenes and Com- 
pany were sent to the ring as third of the fea- 
tures on the bill. Tad was rested; Diogenes 
was always fresh and brisk. They won their 
audience, heart and soul, as they always had, 
from their very first performance, but to-night 
there was one man there in the throng who felt 
himself responding to the two young castaways 
with more than mere admiration. 

It was Mr. Harcourt. Across his mind crept 
a recollection — a picture in which a homeless 
boy, with a homeless pup, had figured — a boy 
and a pup to be remembered till the end of life 
itself — remembered with endless affection and 
with wonder concerning their fate. 

He stared at the two young performers in- 
tently. The boy, he thought, was very much 
indeed like little Tad, but taller, more graceful, 
though thinner in the face. The dog — ^^vell, the 
246 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


dog was not a fuzzy pup at all. This handsome 
canine artist was not even reminiscent of Di- 
ogenes. The two were not the boy and pup that 
he had known. Of this he was certain; yet 
they made him think of those two young, honest 
friends with many a tender emotion. They, 
too, had known Winnie. They had seen her 
later than himself. She might even know of 
their fate. 

The hand-hills, which would instantly have 
told him that his own very Tad and pup were 
now before him, the man had ignored absolute- 
ly. Finally Diogenes and Company made their 
bow, took their generous round of applause, 
and disappeared. 

Again, as he had a score of times, Mr. Har- 
court turned in his seat. He failed to discover 
Winnie, hut she beheld him, and was very much 
excited. Tad, at whom she had gazed with ill- 
understood fascination, instantly faded from 
her mind. The hand-bill she had meant to bor- 
row, for the sake of looking to see if Tad and 
his dog might really be the ones just now before 
her in the ring, was forgotten. Tad and all 
the memories of Tad and pup were thrown to 
the winds that billowed the canvas. 

The show went merrily on as the wind rose 
higher without. Heither Mr. Harcourt nor 
17 247 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Winnie knew the slightest thing of what was 
happening. The antics of the clown slightly 
disturbed and aggravated their minds, though 
the other people laughed and clapped their 
hands. The skilled exhibition of the acrobats 
was lost on their senses. Mile. Arielle, in tights 
and spangles, riding in the ring, was nothing 
but a blur. The men erecting tight-rope stilts 
and stretching the slender manilla bridge for 
Tad to walk were completely ignored. 

Then Tad came forth, quite alone. 

He was dressed in tights and a green satin 
sash. His boyish cheeks were painted. But 
beneath the rouge supplied by Mile. Arielle the 
little chap was pale and red by tiirns. The 
crowd no longer alarmed him, and stage-fright 
horrors were dispelled, but he felt two new 
sensations. His legs were cold in the chilling 
air, and he felt tremendously ashamed. He 
had never exhibited his sturdy little form like 
this before. He shrank froni the gaze of all 
those eyes, thus concentrated on his legs. 

But whatsoever his private emotions. Tad 
never shirked a circus duty. He swallowed em- 
barrassment, nervousness, and all, as he walked 
to his rope and stood there beneath it. 

Kemoving from his feet the slippers that 
Mile. Arielle had provided, he looked at the 
248 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


rope. To }iim it appeared much higher than it 
had in the pad. As a matter of fact, it was 
higher. Bill had prompted the hands to make 
it higher than usual, declaring that the hoy 
would never know the difference, and the turn 
would he greatly enhanced thereby as a feature 
of the performance. 

Tad was given a boost by one of the men, 
and up he went, to sit astride of the rope. His 
balancing-pole was raised to his hand ; the man 
below him disappeared. 

The little chap forgot his legs. That rope 
always succeeded in making his mind a blank 
to anything save the streak of light which its 
length invariably presented, and on which he 
must poise with such caution. 

Once more Mr. Harcourt leaned forward in 
his seat and studied the handsome little artist 
before him in the ring. Once more Winnie 
Blair felt that spell of unexplained fascination 
hold her gaze on the boy now erect upon the 
rope. 

Tad began to walk. Audience, torches, 
breathing tent — everything went from his 
thoughts. Carefully feeling his way, and slow- 
ly gaining confidence anew, as he had to do at 
every fresh attempt, he stepped gracefully for- 
ward — a slight, heart-moving little figure of 
249 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


boyish innocence and immaturity. The women 
held their breath, and sent him motherly solici- 
tude across the intervening space. The men 
were filled with tenderness, they knew not 
why. 

Outside, the wind came rushing by with ex- 
ceptional fury. Some one out in the blackness 
of the circus-field gave a cry that was all but 
drowned in the gale that rocked the tent. 

Tad had turned and was slowly coming back, 
to kneel on the rope and add the little variations 
taught him for the purpose of making his turn 
appear more difficult. To the wind he paid as 
little heed as he did to the benches of staring 
eyes and whitened faces. 

Suddenly a sharp, penetrating yell arose 
from the night outside the tent. Every one 
started — every one but Tad. He was still too 
engrossed with his task to think of anything. 
Before the cry had died on the wind the tent 
near the entrance was seen to bend inward 
peculiarly. 

An instant later the horrified spectators be- 
held the canvas split, a row of empty seats go 
down, and a huge mass of brawn — like some 
horror evolved from the darkness — stalk un- 
impeded through the ruin towards the ring. 

It was Hamm, the elephant who lived in 

250 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


chains — Ramm the sullen, living to wreak his 
revenge. He had broken his shackles at last. 

A light of madness burned like a coal in his 
little angry eyes. He raised his trunk for a 
shrill, exultant trumpeting, and lurched ahead, 
in a trot of awkward activity. 

A shriek of horror arose from the benches. 
Hundreds of women and hundreds of men were 
instantly bawling and screaming. A panic 
seized the audience. Men, women, and chil- 
dren, they rose in a mass, and, falling headlong, 
scrambling through the seats, leaping, running, 
and yelling, attempted to flee from the mad- 
dened brute before them. 

The very next moment the elephant^s massive 
foot struck a guy that held Tad’s tight-rope in 
its place. It snapped like a cord. Down came 
the rope for a distance of a foot, and over went 
Tad to the earth. 

He lay there, stunned by the fall, and Ramm 
thundered hastily towards him. Then a shrill 
bark rose above the cries and confusion of 
panic. 

It was simply Diogenes. From his place in 
the dressing-room tent he had seen it all. He 
shot from the pad like a tawny comet, racing 
for Tad and the elephant in one wild impulse 

to defend his helpless little master. 

251 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


He darted straight in the elephant’s path and 
hurled himself upon the massive trunk. He bit 
it, clung to it, and growled out his warning to 
the huge brute he meant to destroy if Tad were 
so much as disturbed. 

From the benches, at that very moment, a 
man came running towards the spot. It was 
Mr. Harcourt. How deadly the elephant was 
he knew, but the sight of a helpless hoy upon 
the earth — a hoy so like his little Tad of other 
days — prone in the path of that juggernaut of 
might — this had suddenly roused him to abso- 
lute forgetfulness, or carelessness, of self or of 
anything else. 

And Winnie Blair, standing immovable, 
frozen with fear, in the place she had occupied 
all the evening, saw Harcourt go, and knew 
what he felt, and rejoiced in his splendid cour- 
age. 

But Kamm had halted. Angered as he was, 
intent as the night and opportunity had made 
him for revenge — the vengeance so long plotted 
and nurtured — he yet dould not move to do his 
will of slaughter and destruction without first 
disposing of Diogenes. And to kill this bold 
little comrade — this one friend vouchsafed him 
in the world — was quite impossible. 

He tossed the dog aside, unharmed. Diogenes 
252 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


came back — and he came like a shot. He was 
not to be satisfied with a sparing of himself. 
What it might have been that he cried aloud in 
the animal tongue, as he leaped and barked, to 
drive the mighty brute from little Tad, perhaps 
some animal, dumb as himself, might some day 
reveal. One thing only was certain — Ramm 
was stopped. 

Panic, fleeing people, yells, shouts, and groans 
— the angered pachyderm was moved to forget 
it all and let them go. He came in quiet to the 
side of the helpless boy, who still lay prone 
upon the earth, and, placing his great wise 
trunk upon the slender form, appeared to re- 
member who it was, and to recognize another 
friend from whom naught but genuine compas- 
sion could ever be expected. 

Harcourt, rushing to what, but a moment be- 
fore, must certainly have been his sudden death, 
was barely ten feet away. Ramm swung his 
trunk, and stopped him where he was. He 
struck no blow ; he simply interposed a barrier, 
and the man was halted in his tracks. Then, 
witji a shove, irresistible but harmless, the brute 
bowled the man cleanly backward from tfie 
place. The boy was not in danger ; Ramm wish- 
ed it understood. The boy was the friend and 
comrade of Diogenes, this pup; and the pup 
253 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

and he, the mighty Hamm, were sworn to an 
animal bond. 

The keeper came running like a demon to 
the place. He was yelling. In his hand he 
held a long steel weapon, hooked upon the end. 
Across the ring from the pad ran Mile. Arielle 
and Hardy, with the clown, the tattooed man, 
and the acrobat who owned an interest in the 
show. 

Diogenes was still on guard. He leaped once 
more on the elephant^s trunk, this time merely 
to tell of his thanks, his gratitude, and the love 
he bore his big, all-powerful friend — a love 
which would never diminish. 

A moment later the keeper was there, and 
the steel barb hit into the ear of Ramm the 
mighty. For an instant the pain succeeded in 
rousing a faint repetition of his rage; then he 
suffered himself to be led away, and none but 
Diogenes knew the reason why, 

Harcourt was up on his feet once more, but 
a dozen eager hands were thrusting him aside. 
It seemed as if the circus folk appeared from 
the very earth itself, so many were there in an 
instant. 

Tad was stirring on the ground before they 
caught him up. It was Hardy’s arms that held 
him then, and away he was carried to the pad. 

254 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Harcourt started to follow, but a voice 
brought him quickly to a halt. 

Harold ! Harold came the cry from near 
at hand. 

He turned and beheld her coming — Winnie, 
distraught, but wildly happy — Winnie, whose 
fears for his life had cast all pride, all reserve, 
to the winds. 

She might have fallen headlong had he not 
darted forward to catch her. 

“ I knew you were brave ! — I knew it all the 
time !” she sobbed in sudden joy. 

The show was ended. A white-faced man 
bawled out the intelligence that no effort would 
be made to proceed with the bill to-night. He 
thanked them one and all. Master Starbeam, 
he was glad to say, was quite uninjured. 

Mr. Harcourt and Winnie, all but forgetting 
the boy, departed from tent and grounds to- 
gether. The hand-bill she had caught up from 
a seat was crumpled and thrust into her purse. 


XXVI 


THE DOGHOOD OF A PUP 

AD’S injuries were not at all alarm- 
ing, but the little chap was exceed- 
ingly weak when he presently came 
to his senses. He had hurt his head, 
and his bruised little body ached with 
a new sort of soreness, in addition to 
that appeared to have waited for some 
such time as this to come upon him in a com- 
pany. 

It seemed as if the entire circus family had 
gathered in the pad, when he looked about and 
tried to smile from the mass of blankets on 
which he had been placed. The news of his 
accident had spread as if on the wind that blew, 
and thereupon all his friends had tried to come 
at once. Acrobats, clowns, fat lady, little Miss 
Chiffon Gray, and her mother, old Calamity, 
Watt, his wife, and Hardy — these were just a 
few of those who gathered in the place to see 
what assistance or comfort they could give. 

256 



the aches 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Between the legs of all, Diogenes was wildly 
scrambling, only to be pushed aside, and to 
squirm his w^ay again to Tad, beneath whose 
hand he crept and sank upon the bed, to give 
more real comfort than any. 

Every one seemed to be asking the one hu- 
manly absurd question: 

Are you hurt 

And Tad was busily, bravely murmuring, 
'No.” 

But Mile. Arielle fetched him a dipper of 
w’ater, with a drop of something strong to give 
it potency, and this seemed far more warming 
than all the eager questions in the world. It 
was likewise Mile. Arielle who presently or- 
dered the pad to be cleared, and the friends to 
go their ways. That Tad was not badly in- 
jured was quite evident, she said. She pro- 
posed to get him to bed with sensible alacrity, 
and to see that he was rested and cured of weari- 
ness and stress and all his many bruises. 

It seemed to the faintly smiling little fellow 
as if he had never been so tired in his life — 
that nothing could possibly be so sweet as a 
sleep to last for weeks. His friends departed 
reluctantly. Out in the wind the roustabouts 
battled with the tents, which appeared like mon- 
ster balloons madly tugging at their ropes. 

257 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


When at last the boy and pup were moved to 
the best of the wagons, the wearied circus cara- 
van was once more in readiness to move. 

In the morning, when the customary halt 
was made and the canvas domes ascended as 
usual to loom in graceful lines against the sky. 
Tad was carried bodily to the private portion 
of the dressing-room tent made sacred to Mile. 
Arielle. But little Miss Chiffon Gray was the 
one to carry in the breakfast which boy, and dog 
were to take in the greatest possible ease. 

All night Tad had lain in a fever — ^not high, 
but persistent. He had slept rather soundly, 
despite this unnatural heat, however, and was 
now awake, but pale and excessively languid. 

Miss Chiffon Gray put down the board on 
which she had carried the breakfast, in the ab- 
sence of a tray, and regarded Tad intently. 

I didn’t really want to be mean before,” she 
announced, with a sudden intensity of feeling. 

I wanted to be friends from the first. And 
now — ” 

She turned away her face and sobbed mighti- 
ly, to Tad’s complete astonishment. 

What’s the matter ? Some one been scold- 
ing ?” he asked, weakly. I never thought you 
acted mean to any one.” 

I’ll bring you all the candy I’ve got,” said 
258 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


the thoroughly humbled and admiring young 
lady. And I wouldn’t let anybody bring you 
your breakfast hut me !” 

She dried her eyes with a somewhat savage 
application of her handkerchief, and looked at 
Tad demurely. 

We are real friends, then, aren’t we ?” she 
asked. You don’t mind me being a friend ?” 

I like it,” said Tad, in his honesty. And 
Diogenes has never had a little girl friend in 
his life. He’ll be very much pleased.” 

Diogenes, who was present, promptly came 
forward and ratified his master’s statement. 
He nearly knocked Miss Chiffon Gray over 
backwards with his friendly demonstrations. 
Then Mile. Arielle came bustling into the pad, 
and Miss Gray departed for the candy. 

Despite the very best efforts he could make, 
however, little Tad could not regain his strength 
and ordinary spirits readily. He ate half-heart- 
edly of the breakfast, then fell asleep before 
the candy came. All the morning he dozed, and 
waked at times to look up, smile at Mile. Arielle 
in his boyish way, and drop again into slum- 
ber. Diogenes was constantly there at his side. 
He refused to move; he took no food that any 
one offered, save that which came from Tad. 
He was worried to the depths of his doggish 
259 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


nature. So often as Tad would stir and wake, 
to pet him with a fond but languid hand, he 
would grab for anything by way of cloth or 
movable article, drop it near his master, offer 
to play, or even volunteer to stand on his head 
and walk erect on his two hind legs, as if 
to effect some return of his comrade’s lively 
ways. 

On all this Tad would smile, and smile in 
happiness, but the lights in his eyes were still 
a trifle dull. Visitors came and visitors went, 
till all the circus family had been to the pad 
and either left or delivered some message of 
cheer. They were all sincerely fond of Tad, 
and all were honestly anxious to see him again 
up and carrying cheer to tired men and ani- 
mals. 

1^0 attempt was made to present Diogenes 
and Company at the afternoon performance. 
Tad would have tried; he summoned strength 
and courage from somewhere in his sore little 
body, and volunteered to dress and go to the 
ring, as he had done so faithfully for weeks, 
but Hardy refused to accept such a service. 
Worried as he was by the name the show was 
getting, with its shackled elephant and its lack 
of attractions, he could not permit the half- 
sick boy to make such a sacrificial effort. The 
260 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


bill was played without the educated dog, the 

poodle paragon,” so extensively advertised — 
and the audience grumbled aloud. 

By evening a slight reaction had dissipated 
all the apparent improvement that Tad had 
made in the afternoon. Nature was still inex- 
orable; she demanded sleep and rest. After 
his supper, which was jealously brought by Miss 
Chiffon Gray, Tad fell again into weakness and 
a slumber profound as night itself. An hour 
before the evening^s performance was to open, 
Hardy was worried, even harassed, by the fact 
that Tad would be unable to go on for his turn 
with the dog. The tight-rope act, however, the 
man relinquished with small regret. The boy, 
he said, should not be asked to attempt it again. 
He was plainly cut out for something else. But 
to have advertised two catching features, and 
then to have them both wiped at once from the 
bill — this was disastrous indeed! 

The circus, if the truth were known, was 
making a last spasmodic effort to remain a sol- 
vent concern. Bankruptcy stared it in the 
face; troubles lurked like following wolves on 
the right and left of its path. To hold it up 
for two more weeks, then go, with a feeling of 
relief, into winter quarters, was the most that 
Hardy hoped to achieve. This accident to Tad, 
261 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


slight element that it was, brought dissolution 
nearer to the show. 

Of all this Bill, the scheming, was perfectly 
well aware. The man was quite as innocent 
as any one with respect to the things which 
Hamm had done. ^Nevertheless, he rejoiced that 
circumstances had placed things far more pro- 
pitiously for himself. He came to Hardy while 
worry was screaming like a harpy in the man- 
ager’s ear. 

Do you know what we’re doin’, leavin’ that 
dog off the bill ?” he inquired, insidiously. 

Do you know what’s a-loomin’ ahead ?” 

Yes,” said Hardy. Kuin ! Luck’s been 
against us. What could we do ? What’s to he 
done about it now ? The boy can’t go on. He’s 
as weak as so much wet paper. I won’t let him 
tackle the job.” 

“ I know it. I know it,” answered Bill. 

It ain’t no news to me. But I could take that 
dog in the ring and put him through his turn 
— fer one or two performances. What’s the 
matter with that? Anything’s better than to 
cut it out. And who’s to know that ^ Diogenes 
and Company ’ don’t mean the dog and me ?” 

Do you think you can do it ?” Hardy asked 
him, hopefully. ‘‘Would he do the turn for 
you ?” 


262 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


You leave it to me,” answered Bill, with 
a grimness that Hardy failed to note. If 
you say go ahead, you can leave the rest 
to me.” 

Hardy liesitated. It seemed like something 
of a treachery to Tad. But the hoy was sound 
asleep, and would be likely so to remain. 

We ought to have the act,” he said. Ev- 
erybody’s grumbling at the show. It hurts us 
at every stand we make.” 

All right,” said Bill, who knew the point 
was determined. I’ll drop in soon and see 
the dog.” 

Hardy went to the side-show on business with 
the man at the door. Bill made some pretence 
of looking to the horses, but was soon turning 
back to the pad. 

Thoroughly alive to the fact that Tad would 
object to his taking the dog, he called to Mile. 
Arielle, to whom he told the plans which, he 
averred. Hardy had just now suggested and 
ordered for the night’s performance. Mile. 
Arielle was to fetch the dog from her private 
room, where Tad was still in her care, and a 
little time would be devoted to a quiet rehearsal 
of the turn. 

Diogenes, who would never have moved from 
the place at his master’s side for Bill, was re- 

i8 263 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


luctant to leave it, even for all the persuasions 
of Mile. Arielle. She placed a chain about 
his neck, however, and he followed her out, 
assured all the way that he should soon re- 
turn. 

The chain was delivered into the hand of 
Bill. Mile. Arielle hastened back to the toilet 
she was making for her turn in the ring. 

!No sooner did Diogenes find himself thus 
betrayed, as he conceived it, than he showed his 
teeth and bristled indignantly. He and the 
man before him were no friends. He under- 
stood this even more thoroughly than ever, as 
he stood there, face to face with the brute he 
could see beneath this form of a man. 

Bill was glaring triumphantly, maliciously. 
The moment for which he had waited and 
planned was at hand. Cunning, craft, and 
cruelty made their shadows on his face as he 
stood there leering at Diogenes. 

So, my fine dog,” he said, in a tone intend- 
ed only for the ears of his captive, so I have 
got you to handle at last ! How, then, we’ll see 
you do your tricks — the tricks you stole from a 
better dog than you — and we’ll see you do them 
sharp! Come here, and make your bow — and 
make it to me 1” 

Diogenes knew what he meant; he compre- 
264 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


bended every word. Angered more than fright- 
ened, he merely hauled back on the chain, and 
all but made his escape. 

Try that ! would you V’ Bill demanded. 
He lurched forward and caught up a whip, the 
while he jerked on the chain with all his savage 
might. Then he cut the helpless animal a 
stinging blow with the lash. 

Instantly a change occurred in the btiing of 
Diogenes — a vital, mysterious change. He 
ceased to be a puppy; his doghood came upon 
him as the manhood comes to a youth — ^with a 
gift of strength and courage and all the co- 
ordinated attributes of maturity. He found 
his adult stature at the blow — and his pnppy- 
hood was gone ! 

He waited for nothing. He sprang at Bill 
and bit him on the arm that held the whip. He 
hit not as deep as he felt he could, hut his teeth 
sank in like a white-hot punishment, and Bill 
gave a cry, which he tried to suppress, and 
dropped the whip to the ground. 

Diogenes was not a fighting animal. He had 
never known the meaning of animal anger be- 
fore. He had never bitten any living being, 
or dreamed of a passionate action. He hounded 
hack, when the deed was done, and stood there 
defiant and unflinching. He was willing to 
265 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


call the matter settled — blow given for blow — 
but Bill was enraged beyond control. 

He caught up the whip and reversed it, to 
deal Diogenes a stroke across the nose or head 
with the loaded butt that might have slain him 
then and there. It only partially fell. The 
dog was instantly upon him as before, and fail- 
ing to fasten on the upraised fist, caught the 
whip in his teeth and wrenched it through the 
gripping fingers. 

A fight W’as immediately in progress. The 
man recovered his whip once more, and tried 
to hold the dog and use it. One of his blows 
was accurate enough, and viciously stinging 
when it came, but now on his leg and now on 
his arm he was bitten by the dog before he 
could move. 

He fought like the great stubborn brute that 
he was, kicking, striking, clubbing with the 
whip, but when at last Diogenes broke from his 
hold and, refusing to run, merely stood his 
ground and dared the man to take him, or re- 
new the fight, he knew that the battle was done. 
Cowardice was uppermost in all Biirs attitude, 
just as courage marked the dog from nose to 
tail. 

Panting, sweating, slightly bleeding from the 
marks of Diogenes’ teeth. Bill crouched there, 
266 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


glaring horribly, but far too afraid to invite 
another bout. He was whipped. 

Diogenes presently took up the chain in his 
mouth and trotted olf to his master’s side — 
the place where he felt he belonged, and from 
which Bill would gladly have dragged him. He 
felt ashamed, for heretofore he had been but 
an innocent pup. Quietly treading to his post 
of duty, he lay on the earth by Tad’s rumpled 
blankets, and Mile. Arielle, behind an impro- 
vised screen, was not even aware of his return. 


XXVII 


BILL’S OPPORTUNITY 

ILL still remained where the dog had 
left him. He knew he was beaten, 
llage at himself and rage at Diogenes 
burned hotly in his veins. He gave 
up nothing of his scheming; he sim- 
ply knew the dog would refuse, ab- 
solutely, to do so much as to walk by his side, 
not to mention the tricks, and that Tad, and 
Tad alone, could compel the faithful animal 
to obey any orders but his own. 

While he stood there debating the next best 
thing to do to further his plans of conquering 
the dog, the band in the main tent struck up a 
tune. The show would soon commence. 

It was Bill’s desire to give the turn with 
Diogenes early. The unexpected outcome of 
his struggle with the dog had altered his plans 
in detail only; his stubborn intention of mas- 
tering Diogenes remained the same. He let 
himself out of the pad by lifting the canvas 
2C8 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


wall and walking under. To the cook^s lit- 
tered out-door kitchen ’’ he hastened, there to 
wet a rag and wash the shallow wounds Di- 
ogenes had inflicted on his person. Then he 
walked on to the front of the tent to look for 
Hardy. 

Hardy was absent from the ticket - seller’s 
booth. A substitute was in his place. Where 
Hardy had gone he did not know. Bill did. 
He knew he should find him in the dressing- 
room tent with Tad. 

Hastily appointing the ex-ringmaster to the 
duties he could not perform to-night, Bill went 
to the pad just as the evening’s performance 
was started. He did not intrude his presence 
in Mile. Arielle’s apartment, however, but wait- 
ed for Hardy to appear. 

Wlien Hardy came forth. Bill explained, with 
every evidence of good-nature, that Diogenes 
had seemed to refuse to perform his tricks, be- 
ing apparently under an impression that he 
ought to have orders from his owner. Bill even 
went so far in generosity as^to say that he did 
not blame the dog a whit. But the thing to do 
was to go to Tad, who had just been awakened 
by the music, and get him to tell the dog to do 
his turn as usual, with himself here. Bill, to 
help him out. 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Once more Hardy doubted the fairness of 
the scheme. Unfortunately, however, he had 
encouraged an announcement to be made that 
the celebrated educated dog would appear in 
the ring this evening without fail. He there- 
fore consented. 

He and Bill went into the presence of Tad 
and Diogenes together. Diogenes was instant- 
ly alert. It was Hardy, however, who presented 
the case to little Tad, and Hardy had been 
kind. 

Tad was thoroughly excited by this strange 
request, this plan to have him order his dog to 
go forth and do his tricks with Bill. He 
offered to dress and do the turn himself, but his 
small, white hands were trembling even then, 
and no one thought him able to make such an 
effort. Mile. Arielle, indeed, insisted he should 
not leave his bed. She joined her voice to 
Hardy’s, unconsciously battering down poor 
Tad’s instinctive warnings, and leaving him 
absolutely no excuse for refusing this request. 
It was only for just this once, she said. To- 
morrow he would certainly be strong enough 
to do it for himself. To-night — well, it would 
make so many people happy — and where was 
the harm ? 

It was quite impossible for Tad to say that 
270 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


he feared this man, who stood there smiling so 
softly, so cunningly, before them all. He could 
not name the dread and suspicion that gnawed 
at his vitals the moment he thought of consign- 
ing Diogenes to such a master, even for a mo- 
ment, and he knew not a thing of the recent 
fight between the dog and man. 

Tad was a gentle, obedient boy, willing and 
eager to do his best in the matter of helping 
and giving others pleasure. His boyish fears 
were driven afield by the plea that Hardy was 
making. But the pangs it cost him to bid his 
dog pay homage to Bill, so feared and dreaded, 
this was a pain far more poignant than any- 
thing now remaining in his swiftly mending 
little body. 

I guess the pup would do it — if I asked 
him,” he said, and his arm tightened involun- 
tarily about Diogenes’ neck. 

Good boy,” said Hardy. I knew you’d 
stand in and boost the show. They can git 
right on and do the turn at once ; then the pup’ll 
be back in twenty minutes.” 

The moment of the test of his courage had 
come, and Tad all but failed to respond. A 
weakness enveloped him just as he started to 
say he was quite strong enough to get up and 
go into the ring himself. He believed they were 
271 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


right; that he could not do justice to the turn. 
More reluctantly than he had ever done any- 
thing in his life, he summoned all his boyish 
resolution. 

Pup/’ he said, I want you to go and do 
your tricks — with Bill. He’ll — be very kind. 
He — he likes a good dog. Go out and do the 
tricks with Bill — and mind him like a good 
Diogenes.” 

Diogenes got up. He whined, and looked at 
Bill distrustfully. But Tad, his beloved little 
master, had spoken. 

Go on, pup — and come back soon,” added 
Tad, whose heart was rebelling with all its 
might against this unnatural situation. Go 
do the tricks pretty — and next time we’ll do 
them together.” 

Bill advanced and took the chain, still fast- 
ened to the collar that Diogenes was wearing. 
Obediently, even meekly, the dog complied with 
the orders. He started with Bill, turned back 
to look at Tad, made a sound of misgiving, and 
waited for one more request before he could 
go even then. 

It’s all right, pup. Mind Bill nice, for 
Tad,” said the little master, courageously. 

Good-bye — and come back right away.” 

Weakly Tad turned over in his blankets as 
272 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


he saw his dog depart. He had never so wished 
to cry in all his life. 

Bill and Hardy left the place together. 
Hardy proceeded to the ring at once to announce 
the event of the evening — the famous edu- 
cated dog Diogenes, in his world - renowned 
performance ” — after which, still amply wor- 
ried, he passed out to the front to count up the 
evening’s receipts. 

Bill and the dog came on a moment later. 
Diogenes was greeted with a round of applause, 
but to some of the spectators, who had heard of 
Tad and his dog, the sight of Bill was a disap- 
pointment. 

Further disappointments followed. Obedient 
to his young master’s will as Diogenes had 
made himself, he detested Bill with a cordiality 
he could not conceal. He performed his tricks 
at command, but indignantly, impatiently, with 
one idea in his doggish mind — to finish and 
hasten to the bedside of his master. 

It was not a triumph for Bill, after all. He 
knew he was hated by the dog that he ordered 
to perform; he was galled, jealous, scheming, 
and consumed by a prospect of treachery. 

The turn went through to the end, save for 
the customary trick which invariably concluded 
the act. Bill cut it short, called the dog to his 
273 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


side, fastened the chain once more upon his 
neck, and ordered him to bow. Diogenes 
obeyed. Had the usual ending of the turn been 
permitted. Bill would have found himself de- 
feated. Diogenes would have fled back to Tad 
like a flash. It was entirely because he had 
foreseen such a finale that Bill had brought 
the chain along and employed it just at this 
moment. 

With the still obedient animal at his side, 
he started for the pad — but not for the private 
apartment of Mile. Arielle. Just beyond the 
curtained flap of thin material, in the passage 
connecting the tents, he suddenly lifted the 
wall, led Diogenes out into the darkness, and 
dropped the canvas behind them with a snap. 

Then he looked about. Ho one had seen them 
disappear. 


XXVIII 


CALAMITY AND TAD 


MORE agonized twenty minutes 
than were those inflicted upon Tad, 
feverishly awaiting the return of 
Diogenes, can hardly he imagined. 
Minutes were ages crowded full of 
horrible doubts and fears, the more 
insupportable because of this helplessness, this 
lying in bed to please the friends who were 
being so thoughtful. 

At the end of the first ten minutes, when the 
act could not have been more than half con- 
cluded, Tad had been able to endure suspense 
no longer. He asked Mile. Arielle, in a falter- 
ing voice, which he tried to keep steady, if the 
time must not be passed — if Diogenes should 
not be returning. 

Mile. Arielle, to whom it seemed the mo- 
ments were flying with wholly unreasonable 
haste, as she bustled about neglected prepara- 
tions, was most emphatically certain that not 
275 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


five minutes had as yet been consumed. Tad 
felt ashamed of his doubts and impatience. He 
was sorry to seem at all troublesome. He wait- 
ed, in stoic control of his impulse to flee from 
his bed and see what Diogenes was doing; he 
suppressed an almost conquering impulse to 
beseech Mile. Arielle to go and take a peek and 
bring him a little assurance. He rolled in his 
blankets, for something at his heart was tug- 
ging mightily, and fears were burning with 
fierce intensity within him. 

He ought to be hack,” he said, at last. I 
know he ought to be back.” 

Arielle 1” came a call. Come on, come 
on !” 

Mercy ! His turn must he over, of course,” 
said the lady rider, whose horse was already in 
the pad, outside her partition. Your pup 
will be here now in a second.” 

She was gone. She hastened out to the ring 
■ — and saw no dog and no Bill. But she 
could not wait to seek for explanations. She 
almost ran to the ring, to which her horse had 
gone a moment earlier, and there her work 
engrossed her for a time that seemed intermin- 
able. 

Tad was left alone with his sickening dread. 
He could bear it no longer when five more 
276 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


minutes had passed, but sprang from the bed, 
with the temporary strength which fear will 
so readily lend, and hurried on his clothes. 
Half-dressed, indeed, he left the place for the 
larger portion of the pad. 

Diogenes was not in sight. With a sinking 
at his heart. Tad ran to the entrance, through 
the passage where Bill had left nearly ten 
minutes earlier, and cast a quick, searching 
glance at the ring. Mile. Arielle was there on 
her horse, which was walking about the circle, 
while the clown shouted nonsense at the ring- 
master. Of dog or Bill there was not a sign. 
They could not have been in the ring while 
another turn was on, of course, but Tad had 
been obliged to look, for the anguish and worry 
now upon him. 

He groaned as he fled once more to the pad. 
The acrobatic partner was there, pawing his 
costumes from a trunk. Tad asked him if he 
had seen Bill and Diogenes returning from the 
ring. He had not. 

Then where can they be cried the boy. 

They Ve got to be somewhere ! They prom- 
ised he’d be back in twenty minutes !” 

Look here, you ought to be in bed, my son,” 
said the man. You shouldn’t be up like this 
and running about.” 


277 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


IVe got to find my dog!” said Tad. I 
don’t know what in the world to do 1” 

He thought of Calamity. Swiftly running 
to the canvas wall, he flung it up and hastened 
forth to the outside grounds. Already the side- 
show tent was down. The men were perform- 
ing the customary work of loading what wagons 
they could while the show was still in progress. 
Tad found Calamity, who was thoroughly as- 
tonished and delighted to see him. But he had 
not seen Diogenes or Bill. 

Tad was nearly distracted. He ran to the 
front of the main tent, possessed by swiftly 
increasing apprehensions. Hardy was just on 
the point of entering the show. Tad stopped 
him — for the unexpected sight of the pale, ex- 
cited little fellow, who was thought to be in 
bed, all but gave the man a start. 

Tad poured out his suspicions, doubts, and 
griefs in one boyish torrent of words. Hardy 
said that doubtless by now the dog was again in 
the pad. To the dressing-room tent, therefore, 
he and Tad hastened together. They found no 
trace of man or dog, of course. 

A general alarm was swiftly spread, for 
Hardy himself was excited. Throughout the 
grounds the news went flashing like ignited 
powder that Tad’s beloved dog was missing. 

278 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


In less than ten minutes every corner of the 
field had been searched by men with torches. 
The hunt extended to the near-by growth of 
trees; and then to several houses in the neigh- 
borhood. Meantime the circus performance 
and the music were going merrily on. The glad 
strains of melody seemed laden with nothing 
but joy. 

But there outside the word was finally 
spoken ; 

Bill was gone. Diogenes was stolen. 

A more distracted boy than Tad became 
would be hard to discover. He was nearly pros- 
trated when he realized that all his vague sus- 
picions had been warnings, true as Diogenes 
himself, and that while he was lying, helpless, 
on his back, that monster of a man had taken 
away his dog. 

He did not cry. It was not Tad’s way to 
weep. He simply moaned inside, and made up 
his mind he would search the whole world over, 
but his dog should be found. He had run about 
the field in Hardy’s company. Calamity had 
limped behind them energetically. He was 
almost as fond of Diogenes as Tad himself. 
The night was cold, and Tad’s small teeth were 
chattering. But he mastered his boyish voice 
as best he could to tell Mr. Hardy he should 
279 


19 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


not be contented to leave that town with the 
show to-night, but would stay there and search 
and search and search till his dog was restored 
to his arms. 

The show was out. The people who would 
not remain for the concert thronged from the 
tent and went their ways. Hardy halted where 
he stood. 

‘‘ But, Tad, what’s the good ?” he said. 

You can’t find Diogenes to - night. Bill 
wouldn’t hang around this village. You’re 
sick. You’ve got to be with your friends. 
You’d better remain with the circus. If Bill 
don’t come back you can get another dog.” 

I couldn’t get one like my pup,” said Tad, 
with ill-suppressed emotion. I can’t go away 
with the show. I’m going to hunt till I find 
him.” 

And I’m going to stay with the boy !” de- 
clared Calamity. Don’t you worry ’bout us, 
Mr. Hardy. We’ll let the circus go till we find 
our dog. Me and Tad is comrades — and we’re 
goin’ to find that pup. I ain’t a-goin’ to drive 
my wagon and go and leave my comrade.” 

But what’s the use ?” repeated Hardy. 
Then he looked at the boy who stood before him, 
his manly little face so white with recent in- 
juries, and this anguish so hard to endure. 

280 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Tad/’ he added, gently, I don’t know as I 
blame you. I couldn’t ask you to tackle the 
rope again — I wouldn’t do it. And without 
your dog — But I’m awful sorry to have you 
leave — you and old Calamity. I know how you 
feel. It’s an outrage ! I could thrash Bill half 
to death for this ! I don’t know where you’ll 
go, or where I ought to tell you to go, to look 
him up. He wouldn’t stay here in such a town 
as this. He’d know he’d be found. I’ll put 
the town policemen on his track, but I don’t 
expect it’ll do much good. I can only advise 
you to hunt up the circus that left here for 
Jersey a week before we came. Bill might 
make an attempt to get a job with the dog in a 
show.” 

I’ll find him ! I know I can find my pup,” 
said Tad, who felt that the hunger in his heart 
would guide him straight to Diogenes, through 
night or storm or fire. I’ll find him, for I 
know he’ll be looking for me.” 

Well, when you do, come back to us,” said 
Hardy, tenderly. You and I were meant for 
friends. We could always be friends. And, 
say, Tad, if you don’t chance to find him in a 
day or so at the circus I mentioned, come back 
to me, anyhow. We’ll just be up the line, and 
then across to Long Island. And Bill may 
281 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


come back. He may show up yet with the dog 
— I wish I knew where to tell you to hunt.” 

The show was quite disorganized for half an 
hour. Every one had learned that Diogenes 
was stolen; every one knew that Tad and Ca- 
lamity were about to leave the circus family — 
the home that tents and wagons had become to 
every one. 

Mile. Arielle was tremendously affected. 
She blamed herself in a hundred ways. She did 
her best to persuade the boy to stay with the 
show — at least, until he grew a little stronger. 
But she, too, as Hardy had done before, felt 
at last that her arguments were false, that noth- 
ing could answer the grief and yearning in 
Tad’s young heart but to search the whole wide 
world, if necessary, till Diogenes and himself 
were again united. 

At the end of the concert Miss Chiffon Gray 
and all the others joined one final searching- 
party that scoured the grounds. The tent came 
down, for nothing could be permitted to halt 
the ever-moving machinery of the circus round 
of work, and one by one the things that had 
made of the field a one-day home were taken 
away, to leave the place a desolation, empha- 
sized the more by what it had been but an hour 
before. 


282 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Calamity had rolled his blankets in a wad. 
He would take them, he said, for Tad might 
have need of a bed. Poor as he was himself. 
Hardy thrust five dollars in the hand of the 
boy, whom he loved, and bade him once more 
to return so soon as he could. The whole acting 
force of the show — the tattooed man and other 
freaks, the cook. Watt of the red lemonade, and 
every teamster who could spare the moment — 
had congregated there to say good-bye beneath 
the light of a flaring torch. The luck they 
wished the pale little owner of Diogenes would 
have filled the very ocean. 

Then the first wagon trundled away on the 
road that led to darkness and the future. To 
see the units of the circus thus departing was 
more than Tad could hear. To break down at 
last would have robbed him of his bravery. He 
placed his hand in that of old Calamity, and 
they turned away, to he swallowed by the night. 

Twenty minutes later the field was deserted. 
The cold wind crept across the ring of grass 
and sod, flirting a paper hag, a hand-hill, or a 
trampled bit of ribbon from its path as if it 
turned over and scorned the signs that a visiting 
human horde had left behind to indicate a mo- 
mentary halt. 


XXIX 


DISASTER’S FELLOWSHIPS 

HAT first night out, little Tad and 
old Calamity merely went to three of 
the village hotels and inquired if a 
man and a dog had come to seek for 
lodging. They found that the village 
policemen, paid for their trouble by 
Hardy, had instituted a similar search, and 
had thought of the same beginning to their 
work. 

But of Bill or Diogenes they received not 
so much as a word. They searched out quar- 
ters, and retired at last in a house that adver- 
tised beds for ten cents a night.’’ Why the 
structures were denominated beds was not ex- 
plained. But neither Tad nor Calamity cared. 
The one concern was to take the rest which 
night rendered imperative, then leave very early 
in the morning on the track of that other itiner- 
ant circus, to which, as Hardy had suggested. 
Bill might hasten with Diogenes. 

284 




SUNN YSIDE TAD 


All that following day the comrades trudged 
along the road that led towards Jersey — the 
Jersey from which they had come, in the high- 
est of spirits and hopes, such a very few days 
before. Times without number they asked of 
the roadside residents if any one had seen a 
man with a dog, which he led on a chain. 'No- 
body had. 

At evening they came to the ferry, heartsick 
and weary. On the boat no one had seen such 
a man as they described. Tad was weak again 
with worry and effort. Calamity, who limped 
at best, was footsore and aching in his hones. 
But they tried to smile and cheer each other 
up as they crossed on the boat to continue on 
their way. 

The two discouraging days they consumed 
before arriving at a village from which the rival 
circus had barely departed were nearly suffi- 
cient to destroy even hope such as Tad had 
constructed. He and Calamity had walked 
and ridden many miles through cold and rain, 
ill-fed and poorly protected at night, hut drawn 
ahead by the one faint belief that Bill might be 
found with the show they were stubbornly pur- 
suing. 

The third day of haste, in which a trolley-car 
had materially assisted, brought them at last 
285 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


upon the tented enterprise which afforded a 
species of goal. It was a pitiful apology for 
a circus, with tents far more tattered and wag- 
ons far more decrepit than even those in the 
Hardy organization. The familiar features of 
outside kitchen, shelter for the horses, side- 
show tent, and other canvas structures were 
here, but all much smaller, less orderly, more 
stricken with the outward signs of struggle. 

Tad and Calamity determined to be clever. 
They would not inquire concerning the possible 
presence of Bill and Diogenes, and so give him 
warning of their presence, but would simply 
attend the performance and see for themselves. 
What they meant to do, should Bill be found 
here with the dog, was not very thoroughly 
established in their minds. Tad merely knew 
that one clear call, when he saw him, would 
suffice — Diogenes would leap to his side. 
After that — there were always legs to run 
withal, and Calamity to help should a fight be 
thrust upon them. 

Half hiding in the tangle of a near-by field, 
which the chill autumnal wind searched bitter- 
ly, the two worn travellers waited for the show 
to open. Their funds were low, for Calamity 
had never been paid more than two or three 
dollars a week at the utmost, and this amount 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


he had very adroitly managed to consmne in 
his pipe and his glass of beer. Tad had been 
paying their way. However, when the show 
was finally opened they purchased their tickets 
and hastened in, to conceal themselves as best 
they might in the somewhat meagre audience. 

The performance proved to be almost entirely 
of the vaudeville order. The circus was not 
a circus, in the ordinary sense, but a travelling 
variety show, with a platform in place of a 
ring, and none of the riding, or clown play, or 
customary features of the business. 

Tad and Calamity sat through all the melan- 
choly programme, every moment hoping to see 
Diogenes appear. The end came upon them 
abruptly — and of educated dogs or of Bill 
there had not been a hint to gladden their 
hearts. When they left the tent and made their 
belated inquiries concerning Diogenes, of a man 
who seemed to be in charge of affairs in general, 
they learned that he had never even heard of a 
dog with such a name. 

To call their disappointment bitter is to leave 
it all unsaid. Their toils and hardships had 
been all but insupportable, even with hope still 
before them; absolute dejection seemed now 
the only portion left to their hearts. Neverthe- 
less, old Calamity was a natural philosopher. 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


If he could not eat a savory meal, he could call 
one to mind, and smack his lips over course 
after course, which came upon the groaning 
board he imagined. x\nd the hopes the limping 
old rogue could invent were endless. lie knew 
of a hundred places, at the least, where Bill 
would probably be found. And until they were 
visited, one after another, he knew of no reason 
for repining. 

Tad, for his part, had gained in bravery and 
manly hardihood despite his depths of despair. 
He turned his face towards the north once more, 
and coaxed up a hope that Bill, by this time, 
had returned to Hardy^s show with the faith- 
ful Diogenes, who must be himself making 
every possible effort to find his little master. 

All the long way back they wandered, paying 
when they could for the slender meals they 
consumed, and riding when exhausted — if the 
fare were small. But a sting was in their 
fortune, as well as in the wintry air that had 
swept prematurely upon the land, and two mud- 
grimed, half-frozen mortals they were when at 
last they came once more in sight of the canvas 
home they had left that fateful night. 

It was still on Staten Island, where disasters 
— the merciless, tireless pack of wolves, slowly 
augmented, as one by one they had smelled out 
288 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


and followed the show — had at last closed in 
upon it, to rend it shred from shred. It was 
still barely standing, that was all. Indeed, it 
had now been standing, idle and useless, at the 
edge of a village for two whole days — and 
neither day Sunday, at that. It was now the 
merest mockery of a circus — an empty shell that 
stood because no wind could blow it down. 

A score of unpaid hay accounts, amassed by 
Bill and purposely neglected, together with 
charges for food and rent of grounds, had sud- 
denly been shovelled upon it. Bill had left 
it wrecked. Attachments were thicker than 
patches upon it — on wagons, tents, and every- 
thing in sight. The man who owned the ele- 
phants, having heard of what was about to be- 
fall, had fled with his mighty brutes in the 
night. They were safe — a nucleus for the pos- 
sible establishment of a brand-new circus in the 
future. 

Bill had not returned. The fate of Diogenes 
was quite unknown to any one remaining with 
the enterprise. But those who remained were 
few indeed. Hardy was there, practically alone 
with his acrobatic partner. Mile. Arielle, Watt, 
Miss Chiffon Gray and her mother had gone in 
a group, to take positions with a vaudeville man 
who had said he could put them under decent 
289 


SUNNYSiDE TAD 


roofs for the winter. They, like the fat lady, 
who had gone to a certain museum in I^ew 
York City, had been advised to go by no less 
a person than poor Hardy himself. He had 
told them they could do no good by standing 
by to perish with the sinking ship,’’ which he 
called the organization. The tattooed man alone 
remained, in addition to the roustabouts, who 
still had hopes the disaster was not really per- 
manent — since they knew not where to go for 
work. 

It was Hardy, however, who greeted Tad and 
Calamity. They were friends in misfortune, 
for the man had the sympathetic appreciation 
in his breast to know that to Tad the loss of 
Diogenes was quite as tragic as the loss to him- 
self of all the show. He was glad, and he was 
sorry, to see the two returning to this ruin of 
all that had been. It did him good to see them, 
even though it made his heart experience one 
more ache to learn they had been so unsuccess- 
ful. 

I don’t know what to tell you now,” he said, 
in his effort to find them consolation, bereft as 
he was of hope for himself. But I wouldn’t 
give up. Bill one time lived at Jamaica, Long 
Island, and another time at IJnionville, Hew 
York. I’d try them both. And if ever you 
290 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


find the dog, you let me know. You can reach 
me every time by writing a letter to the care 
of the New York Show Gazette, And next 
year I may he on my feet again. I’ll start a 
new circus — if I can. It’s all I know. If I 
do I’ll give you both a job, if it takes the last 
cent I’ve got in my jeans.” 

He smiled in a sickly hut courageous man- 
ner when the self - forgetting little Tad ex- 
pressed a hope that the ruin here was not 
irreparable. Hardy knew this show was gone. 
He thrust his hand in his pocket to feel for a 
dollar, or anything, to give to Tad to help him 
on his way, but the money was not there. He 
had quite forgotten the fact that an hour before 
he had given his very last quarter to one of the 
teamsters, hanging on for loss of any notion of 
what he should do. 

I may have a few dollars left when they 
sell me up and pay the hills,” he imparted, hope- 
fully. I don’t need much.” 

His stock of encouraging phrases he exhaust- 
ed in an effort to put new hope in the heart of 
little Tad. When the hoy and Calamity left 
him, finally, he felt he had never been so lonely 
in his life. The last cigar that remained in his 
vest he took out and chewed, to ease his emo- 
tions. 


291 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


It was fully half an hour later that he sud- 
denly remembered a bit of news which he had 
thoroughly intended to impart to Tad. It was 
simply that a man named Harold Harcourt had 
chased the circus around for three whole days, 
finally coming upon it here, and demanding to 
know the w^hereabouts of a boy named Tad who 
owned a dog which he called Diogenes. The 
man had gone when he learned that Tad was 
absent, but had declared his intention of re- 
turning every day, since Hardy thought that 
Tad might be expected to seek the show again. 

Well, Hardy reflected, as long as the stranger 
had not received intelligence concerning the 
whereabouts of Diogenes, the failure to speak 
to Tad about his visit was not of great im- 
portance, after all. 

That very afternoon Mr. Harcourt reappear- 
ed on the scene. ' He was told that Tad had 
come and gone, and was headed for Jamaica, 
or perhaps for Unionville, Hew York. He was 
thoroughly disappointed ; he was fairly an- 
noyed. 

This is certainly too bad !” he said. He’s 
a cousin — about a fourth cousin — of a very dear 
friend of mine, who wishes to find him. You’ve 
got some troubles of your own, I can see, but 
she’s even been advertising for a month or more 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


to find that little chap. And you don’t know 
exactly where’s he gone, or where a line would 
reach him. xYnd on top of it all, if he’s looking 
for a lost dog — Well, see here, if you do 
find out where he is, or get a chance to send him 
a message, I wish you’d let him know that Miss 
Winnie Blair — or two weeks from now you can 
say Mrs. Harold Ilarcourt — is his cousin, and 
wants him to come straight home as fast as he 
can trek.” He presented a card on which both 
his name and address were engraved. 

I’ll do it,” said Hardy, who knew full well 
that such a fate would lose him little Tad for- 
ever. I wish I might have been the one to 
tell him that to-day.” 

Harcourt shook his hand — and left him there 
alone with the ruin of the show. 


XXX 


HARDSHIPS AND PHILOSOPHIES 

AD and Calamity crossed the bleak 
expanse of Xew York harbor that 
raw afternoon in the ferryboat that 
plies between Staten Island and Xew 
York City. At any other time, or 
under any other circumstances, this 
excursion to the huge metropolis would have 
given great excitement and pleasure to the un- 
travelled hoy, but to-day he was far too cold 
and far too distraught to enjoy a new sensa- 
tion. His hope of finding Diogenes had dimin- 
ished perceptibly. The world was a very large 
place, after all, and a man with a stolen dog 
was not at all an easy thing to find. 

Past the giant ships of the harbor, and past 
the truly heroic statue of Liberty, wrapped in 
a mantle of verdigris about her shoulders, pad- 
died the boat. Tad looked out through a win- 
dow, listlessly. The water seemed terribly cold, 
and the whole world gray and uninviting. 

294 





/ 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Through the greater part of Kew York City 
the comrades walked. Calamity knew the way 
to Unionville, which they meant to visit first. 
He had sold his roll of blankets for twenty-five 
cents. They had been in the way, he said, and 
were not really worth so large a sum. 

Despite his weariness and the faintness of 
his hope, the walk through great Broadway, 
with its wonderful buildings and its crowds, 
was very impressive indeed to little Tad. But 
for one glance bestowed upon the marvellous 
features of this, the only city of its kind in the 
world, Tad bestowed a dozen on the people he 
passed, particularly any with a dog. It seemed 
as if, among so many men passing in droves and 
processions, Bill himself must presently ap- 
pear — for all the men in the world had appar- 
ently come to the city. 

That afternoon marked a new sort of era of 
despair for Tad — the city was so hopelessly 
stupendous. Beyond it, moreover, were miles 
and miles of land that grew nothing hut cities. 

That day they did not come to Unionville, 
but when they did arrive their search was futile. 
A grocer found by Calamity had known such 
a man as Bill was described to be, a year be- 
fore. There was no such person in the village 
now, he was certain. Indeed, the place was 
295 


30 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


small enough to admit of very thorough search- 
ing, but without result. 

How the two survived, the limping old soldier 
and the faithful little owner of a lost dog, they 
could hardly have told, from day to day. When 
their money was gone old Calamity always 
went to a stable, the nearest at hand, and took 
his comrade with him. They could always get 
work enough at such a place to provide them- 
selves with a meal; and rarely, if ever, was a 
bed denied when they merely wished to curl 
themselves down in the hay. 

They made their way to Jamaica by degrees. 
Hardships and suffering attended their pilgrim- 
age, and many a day they were hungry, but on 
they went. Tad as tireless in his search as the 
knights of old who sought the Holy Grail; 
Calamity as faithfully fond of his small com- 
panion as if he had been a human Diogenes 
himself. When they came to the Long Island 
city no dog or Bill could they find. 

It Avas bright-eyed old Calamity who finally 
suggested that in Hew York City, after all, Bill 
would be more than likely to find some means 
of profit in the dog. There were countless 
variety theatres, there Avere bureaus where shoAv 
folk could secure a great many engagements. 
Lastly, dogs Avere valuable in the city — ^more 
296 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


so than in any other place — and countless deal- 
ers in dogs might offer a field for hopeful 
search. 

November had come, and sharp, cold wind 
had been chosen for its symbol. Eains were 
frequent. An early flurry of snow marked one 
of the bitterest evenings. 

Tad and Calamity had searched till senses 
were aching and limbs had become like lead. 
They were driven to think less and less upon 
their quest and more and more upon their own 
corporeal existence. Their clothing was old, 
thin, and tattered. Their shoes were breaking 
at the soles. 

Calamity knew of a lodging-house quite as 
cheap as a shelter could be, and quite as ac- 
ceptable as almost any kennel for a pup. But 
to crawl beneath even such a roof as this re- 
quired capital. Bor himself, the old cripple 
could perform but little labor of the sort to 
command a decent price. Tad, however, was 
a lively, willing boy, strong, and anxious to 
please. He found his most profitable employ- 
ment near the ferries and elevated stations, 
where hurrying people were constantly stream- 
ing back and forth, to and from some railroad 
terminus, always with luggage. The hand-bags 
and dress-suit cases that the little fellow car- 
297 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


ried were frequently of crushing size and 
weight, but ten or fifteen cents he was paid for 
every such service he performed. Moreover, 
when the day was very bad indeed, and sleet 
and wind were hurled upon the streets together, 
the other nimble urchins, as hungry as himself, 
departed and left the field almost wholly to Tad. 

The two survived, for Calamity became a 
sandwich-man. With a painted sign on a board, 
carried fiat upon his back, and another of sim- 
ilar size and design upon his breast, he paraded 
up and down a crowded thoroughfare all day, 
to earn a pittance, that he and his little comrade 
should not starve. 

For five long, weary weeks they had searched 
their part of the world for the lost Diogenes. 
Hopelessness had become almost a settled thing 
in the heart of little Tad. He watched the 
crowds in the streets with duller eyes. There was 
no use now in expecting to see any one he knew. 
To every dog that passed him, however, he gave 
a glance that warmed with affection for all the 
canine family. The horses that stood beside 
the curb he never neglected to pet for a moment 
or to hail with some softly uttered word of fel- 
lowship. But he rarely spoke of Diogenes now, 
since the size of the world had so appalled him. 

Meantime Harold Harcourt had traipsed to 
298 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Unionville, to Jamaica, and to nearly every 
newspaper office in all E’ew York, searching 
and advertising for the boy to whom Winnie 
Blair owed cousinship and love. To his adver- 
tisements there was never an answer received. 
Tad and Calamity gave neither time nor their 
money to the press. Harold and Winnie were 
married; their beautiful home on Kiverside 
Drive was holding forth its arms, as it were, 
by night and day, to coax little Tad from his 
wretched abode, but of all of this nothing could 
be known to the hoy or to old Calamity. 

The afternoon before Thanksgiving day was 
exceptionally bleak. A steady, biting wind 
swept fiercely through the city thoroughfares, 
half freezing the muffled pedestrians. Then a 
pelting snow commenced, the shotlike particles 
of frozen rain driving with vicious velocity be- 
fore the gale. 

Calamity was trudging up and down the 
street, bearing his sign-boards doggedly, for 
the sake of the good, warm meal which his toil 
would provide for himself and his comrade. 
By his side little Tad was marching to keep 
him company. Into their pockets both had 
thrust their hands, and with bowed heads they 
traversed their storm-swept beat, chatting away 
in their customary spirit, of courage. 

299 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


For the third time Tad regarded the limping 
old figure beside him. What a worn, gray face 
old Calamity’s was! How thin and poor was 
his clothing! But how warm was his heart! 
The wind snatched fiercely at his painted signs, 
and made his navigation difficult. 

Couldn’t I carry them now for a while ?” 
inquired the small bilt sturdy boy. You 
must be getting cold.” 

Oh, they kefep me warm as toast,” said Ca- 
lamity, inventing a cheerful misstatement on 
the instant. And it won’t he more than two 
hours more till we git a rousin’ supper. I’ll 
tell you what, when me and Hapoleon was 
pirates — them was the times we used to eat.” 

Turkey and chicken ?” ventured Tad, whose 
boyish eyes were feasting on marvellously ap- 
petizing things to eat displayed in a restaurant 
window. Sometimes pumpkin-pie ?” 

You bet ! Everything !” said Calamity. 

How, wouldn’t we like it, you and me, to go 
in a nice warm place and sit right down at a 
good big table, and eat a table - dotty dinner ? 
Wouldn’t we do that dinner good ? First a big 
plate full of bread and some thick milk-soup, 
warm and fancy. What do you think of 
that ?” 

I like it,” said Tad, who lowered his eyes 
300 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


from the pelting of the snow. And then the 
turkey.’’ 

Oh no, not yet !” answered Calamity, like 
a very connoisseur, engaged in the act of order- 
ing the meal. We’ll have some olives and a 
plate apiece of oysters — mine on the half-shell, 
and yours any way you like ’em.” 

I don’t like ’em at all, please,” Tad inter- 
posed. 

All right, then ; fish for you — and a little 
fer me, too, while they’re at it — and all brown- 
ed and served up with sauce that tickles all the 
way down. Say ! Ain’t it somethin’ like to he 
pirates ?” 

And when does the turkey come on ?” in- 
quired Tad. 

Right after the fish or oysters,” Calamity 
assured him. We’ll have the turkey now — a 
little of the white meat and a little of the dark, 
and a wing — ” 

And a leg,” put in the hoy, with a memory 
for drumsticks.” 

And a leg,” added Calamity, generously. 
He paused to hold his arm across his eyes for 
a moment, to ward off a particularly malicious 
attack on the part of the snow. And we want 
a lot of gravy — plenty of gravy on top of the 
onions and potatoes — and we mustn’t forget the 
301 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


cranberry sauce and celery. Yes, and what do 
you think about a nice^ little dish of tomato 
salad? Sort of late fer tomatoes, but perhaps 
we might as well. And cauliflower ainT so bad 
with a dinner fer us — unless we git so full of 
the other things that we can’t git away with no 
more.” 

I guess we could eat some pumpkin-pie,” 
suggested Tad, trying to hide his red little 
wrists from the storm. We don’t feel too full 
for dessert.” 

1^0, but the turkey’s the main thing, after 
all,” said Calamity. Don’t it smell allurin’ ?” 

And wouldn’t it be nice to give all the bones 
to Diogenes — if only we could And him,” said 
Tad. He’d like the bones. He may be very 
hungry, right this minute.” 

Yes, we’ll give him all the bones — and 
potatoes, too, if he wants ’em,” agreed Calam- 
ity. Dogs like potatoes when they’re cooked 
just right. And then the pie — and a little bit 
of pudding — and coffee. I guess we’d better 
have a big cup of coffee apiece, to warm us up, 
after all the rest. And, then, why not sit down 
by the fire and take it easy ?” 

Yes — and see nice people coming in — and 
Diogenes resting his nose right on my knee,” 
supplemented the boy, striving with might and 
302 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


main to keep from freezing in the blast. And 
Diogenes will never go away again.” 

They were silent after this imaginary dinner, 
and trudged back and forth repeatedly side by 
side. The careless, dehumanized ^^^ew York 
throngs went by in either direction, no one ob- 
serving the two oddly assorted outcasts in the 
storm. ^To one had time or thought for a pair 
of human beings brought to this expedient to 
live; no one cared what relationship they bore 
to one another. 

It was nearly dusk when at last little Tad 
observed a certain sign upon a window. The 
place was a branch office of a great paper print- 
ed in the town. Through the glass Tad was 
able to decipher a sign. It read : Tree Bureau 
of Information.” 

Pondering deeply upon the possibilities of 
such an office. Tad at length informed old Ca- 
lamity that he meant to go in there and inquire 
about his dog. Calamity raised no objections. 
He had never opposed a single thing which his 
heartsick little comrade had desired to try. 

Tad went in and stood before the window. 
Presently a smart young man, conversing with 
one of his office associates, peered down at the 
ragged little figure, waiting politely for a 

chance to ask his question. 

303 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


^^Well, kid, whafs the matter?” said the 
man. 

Dirothing, only I’ve lost a dog,” said Tad. 

I thought perhaps you might be able to tell 
me where to hunt to find him.” 

Sure !” said the clerk, with ready wit. 

Go up to Fifth Avenue and look for him 
there. Every woman you meet has got a dog 
— they have them there instead of children.” 

Yes,” said Tad, but perhaps those belong 
to the people who’ve got them. Aline is a lost 
dog.” 

That’s all right,” the clerk assured him. 

They’ve got every breed in the world. Take 
my advice and go to Fifth Avenue and look.” 

Tad went out. He presently rejoined old 
Calamity, and again they trudged back and 
forth, side by side, in the storm. 

The man says to go to Fifth Avenue and 
look for Diogenes,” he said, in response to Ca- 
lamity’s query as to what information had been 
gained. He says there are lost dogs and 
every other kind and breed in Fifth Avenue.” 

All right,” said Calamity, with generous 
alacrity. To-morrow’s Thanksgiving. If the 
weather ain’t too tempery we’ll have a treat. 
We’ll git up on top of the ’bus that goes clean 
up Fifth Avenue, and we’ll ride as far as she 
304 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


goes — and then walk back. It’ll be a Thanks- 
givin’ day treat. We’ll save the ten cents fer 
carfare when we eat our supper this evenin’. 
Then we’ll be sure we don’t git left.” 

“ And maybe,” said Tad, as he shivered in 
the cold, maybe we’ll find Diogenes at last.” 

That night, at his bedside, he made a slight 
alteration in the prayer he had offered faith- 
fully whensoever the hour had come to go to 
sleep. 

Dear Friend in Heaven,” he said, in his 
boyish confidence, please bless old Calamity 
and make him real comfortable, and make me a 
good boy, and make Diogenes a good pup — and 
don’t let Bill be cruel — and bless Mr. Hardy, 
and all the circus people, and all the poor 
people everywhere. And I haven’t found Di- 
ogenes; so, please, if you can’t help me find 
him soon, try to fix it so Diogenes can find me, 
for Jesus’ sake. Amen.” 


XXXI 


THE LOVE OF A BOY AND HIS DOG 

HAXKSGIVIXG day was very 
bright and cold. The storm-clouds 
had nearly all disappeared, and the 
gale that had brought them had fol- 
lowed where they went. A frosty 
nip was in the air, which was won- 
derfully clear. Xew York seemed particularly 
clean in all its thoroughfares, for business had 
ceased for the day, the crowds had vanished, 
and the storm of the previous afternoon had 
swept the dirt from the atmosphere as well as 
from the pavements. 

Tad and Calamity had managed to save a 
sum of money sufficiently large to pay for a 
breakfast of most modest dimensions, and leave 
fifteen cents in the treasury. It was ten o’clock 
in the morning when at last they boarded the 
lumbering old ’bus to explore Fifth Avenue, 
for Calamity explained that the street at an 
earlier hour would be almost deserted, whereas 
306 



V 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


in the middle of the morning the crowds would 
be congregating rapidly, especially the women 
with dogs. From then till one o’clock, when 
he and Tad would he returning, the opportuni- 
ties for beholding all the town’s most aristo- 
cratic dogs would he quite unparalleled. 

They boarded the ’bus at Twenty-first Street, 
and sat up on top with the driver. They had 
blacked their shoes at the stand of a friendly 
negro, and with faces scrubbed and hands made 
clean appeared at least respectable, despite 
their tattered raiment. 

The ride commenced — the ten-cent treat to 
which little Tad had looked forward with grow- 
ing excitement. Past Madison Square the ’bus 
went rumbling, and then the task of looking at 
all the breeds of high-toned dogs began. 

As Calamity had predicted, the sidewalks 
were closely packed with people, men and 
women, the latter nearly always in charge of 
the numberless dogs brought out here for pa- 
rade. Tad was presently squirming on his seat 
like a human eel, in a boyish attempt to watch 
both right and left, lest some dog should pass 
uninspected. But the task was too great to be 
accomplished even by a boy. He therefore bade 
Calamity to keep a good, sharp eye on the 
dogs that went by on the right, while he would 
307 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

devote his attention strictly to those on the 
left. 

Even then he was kept extremely busy. He 
saw what he said were the funniest dogs he had 
ever beheld. Hearly every pet thus paraded on 
the street was clothed against the weather. 
Capes across their shoulders were almost uni- 
versal. Many wore dainty little hoots. Furs 
adorned not a few, for riches are careless, and 
costly apparel cares not a whit who may wear it. 

Despite the love he felt for all the canine 
family. Tad was anything but pleased to see 
such funny make-believe dogs as some of these 
appeared to be. He could not imagine them 
as being particularly smart. The smart dogs, 
he was certain, were loth to assume such ridicu- 
lous airs. For many of the chained and pam- 
pered creatures he felt the deepest sympathy. 
They looked so much as if they knew a great 
deal better than this how a dog should dress 
and behave. It was all tremendously absorb- 
ing, however, and it did really seem as if every 
known species of dog had come forth to be seen. 

Past some huge hotels went the ’bus, and the 
traffic in the avenue was steadily increasing. 
Cabs, landaus, coaches, automobiles, and fancy 
carts were streaming up and streaming down 
till it seemed at times as if an acrobat might 
308 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


leap from one to another for blocks, and never 
have need to touch the asphalt pavement that 
fairly shone below them in the sun. 

Somewhere between Thirty-fourth and Forty- 
second streets a four-wheeled cab swung into 
the line, going north with the ’bus, and present- 
ing an aspect most extraordinary. It was a 
common cab, such as any one may hire at any 
railroad terminus, but fairly on its top, in place 
of the luggage sometimes seen in such a posi- 
tion, was a dog — a large, black poodle, clipped 
to resemble a lion. 

He was standing squarely on his feet, and 
was looking about him with obvious interest — 
even, perhaps, with anxiety. He was fastened 
by means of a light brass chain, secured to a 
slender iron railing that fenced in the top of 
the cab. 

To the vehicles passing in constant proces- 
sion the dog appeared to pay not the slightest 
attention. He was watching the men and 
women passing on the walks, and his two bright 
eyes were exceedingly active. 

The cab whereon he rode had been at the 
rear of the lumbering ’bus, but now, when the 
cabby whipped up, to take advantage of an 
open gap in the traffic, it came abruptly abreast 
the seat whereon little Tad was enthroned. 

309 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Tad beheld that poodle all at once — and his 
eves simply fastened their gaze on the spec- 
tacle presented by a sight so novel. A finer- 
looking dog, he thought, he had almost never 
seen. Restlessly prancing about on the roof of 
the vehicle, the poodle now turned and glanced 
eagerly across the stream of passing teams. He 
looked at Tad. Then he started, peculiarly, and 
suddenly leaping, quite to the edge of the cab 
roof, let out a sharp, excited bark. 

Tad was delighted. To have a dog so hand- 
some at this attempt to speak ” across a space 
so intensely confusing was a compliment well 
worth receiving. He laughed, but Calamity, 
watching the farther side of the street, failed 
to hear him or to turn. 

Look !” said the boy. Look at that dog !” 

To his utter amazement the dog in question 
seemed to grow more and more excited with 
every passing moment. He was fairly dancing 
on the moving vehicle, as he whined and strove 
to call out some most important message. 

Tad was excited, he knew not why ; and never 
had anything in all his 'New York experience 
brought such wholly unreasonable joy to his 
heart. Then a very astonishing thing occurred. 

The dog on the cab, finding the vehicle forg- 
ing away, as the drivers silently battled for 
310 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


positions in the traffic, grew wild with helpless 
emotions. He stood on his head. He harked. 
He pranced on the roof as he had before, then 
raised himself erect on his two hind legs and 
barked again. 

The whole crowded street was startled. Hun- 
dreds of men and women stood on the walks, 
staring in amazement at the singular exhibi- 
tion. The man inside the cab was the only one 
who knew nothing at all of what was going on. 

Tad, for his part, simply sat rigid in his 
seat, watching the antics of that big black 
poodle, clipped to render him so handsome. It 
was perfectly preposterous for such antics to 
be real. There was some strange illusion about 
it all ; it could not be a fact ! 

The cab was drawing nearer to the ’bus as the 
traffic once more packed. The singular dog was 
apparently going mad. He stood once more 
on his head and barked. He turned a somer- 
sault, and leaped up abruptly to balance, as be- 
fore, in an upright position. 

Apparently all his intentions were misun- 
derstood. He grew frantic. Then, suddenly 
changing his tactics, he sat on his haunches, 
put up his paws, bowed his head upon them — 
and prayed. 

Tad knew him then. 

21 311 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


It was Diogenes ! 

Grown, dyed black, and clipped in this won- 
derful fashion, it was yet Diogenes the faith- 
ful, nearly wild to tell his precious name. He 
had recognized his little master instantly. He 
had found the boy, while the boy would have 
let him pass unidentified. He had barked in 
vain ; he had tried his tricks, to tell who he was 
— and at last the prayers,” that Tad had 
taught him before even one small trick was at- 
tempted, had revealed it all in a flash. 

Inward, towards and almost against the ’bus 
came the cab, with a swerve, as its driver fought 
for a place. 

Pup !” cried Tad, above the clatter of the 
traffic. 

Before old Calamity could put forth a hand 
to prevent him, before he eveu guessed what 
was happening, the boy abruptly leaped from 
his place of vantage, shot through the inter- 
vening space, across a narrow chasm filled with 
wheels, and landed plump on top of the cab, 
where he fell to his knees, with his dog madly 
clasped in his arms. 

A chorus of cries went up from the throng. 
The traffic shifted on the moment. Cab and 
’bus were parted by a chance that was offered 
to one to forge ahead. Two minutes later the 
312 


V 



(( 




THE BOY LANDED PLUMP ON TOP OF THE CAB 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


cab was turned to a side street opening on the 
Avenue, and the fare ” who was riding with- 
in thrust his head from the window and de- 
manded to know what was going on. 

There was hugging going on up top, and a 
mad, uncontainable prance of delight, so far 
as Diogenes was concerned, for Tad could not 
hold him in his gladness. 

Stop called the man inside, and his 
driver halted. Then out of the cab leaped a 
gentleman, young and athletic. He saw the 
curious crowds swiftly gathering, their eyes in- 
tently focussed on the roof of the vehicle, to 
which his own gaze was instantly directed. 

Here !” he called. Here, boy, where did 
you come from ? What are you doing V’ 

Tad saw and heard him quite distinctly. He 
was not afraid. Hothing, in that moment, could 
have made him fear the largest man on earth. 

He’s my dog ! He’s my dog,” he cried in 
boyish honesty. It’s my own dog Diogenes 
— and he’s found me at last !” 

Diogenes ?” said the gentleman, staring 
with peculiar fixedness, the while the crowd 
grew rapidly greater. Diogenes ? You said 
Diogenes ? Come down and get inside here, 
you and the dog. We’ll talk this over together.” 
He was very impatient to escape the crowd 
313 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


of men and women, many of whom were talking 
loudly, in a manner betokening the greatest 
possible astonishment. 

Tad came down, the end of the small brass 
chain in his hand. Diogenes leaped to the 
ground without an instant’s hesitation. 

He’s mine ! He’s my very own dog !” re- 
peated Tad, emphatically. “ They’ve painted 
him black and cut otf his hair; but he’s mine, 
and he knew me in a minute. I taught him all 
his tricks. He’s mine ! Pup, stand up on your 
head!” 

Only too glad to establish his own identity 
and the truth of every word that Tad had ut- 
tered, Diogenes not only stood upon his head, 
but once more turned his somersault, raised 
himself erect on his two hind legs, then leaped 
through a ring that Tad swiftly made of his 
arms. 

He’s my own pup Diogenes,” said Tad, 
again, and he fell to the pavement and clasped 
his beloved dog to his heart and burst into tears. 

All right — but get into the cab,” said 
the handsome young gentleman, persuasively. 

You can take him inside. Just look at the 
crowd we’re getting in the street.” 

He urged Tad gently to the cab’s interior. 
Diogenes leaped in ahead of his master. A cab 
314 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


to him was a poor imitation of a circus wagon, 
and with wagons and the art of riding inside 
them he was thoroughly familiar. A moment 
later the man himself had quoted a Riverside 
Drive address to his driver, stepped briskly in- 
side, and closed the door. The cab was whisked 
away at once, just as old Calamity, who had 
clambered down from the ’bus and limped to 
this centre of excitement, finally made his way 
within a rod of the carriage. 

ITow, then,” said the surprised young 
man, who was paying for the ride across the 
city, just tell me who you are, my boy, and 
how you landed on top of my cab, and how 
you know that dog is yours. I bought him 
over in Jersey.” 

How do I know he’s mine ?” repeated the 
hoy, at whose freckled nose Diogenes was ex- 
citedly lapping. I didn’t know him till he 
did his tricks on top of the cab. They’ve made 
him black. My name is Tad — I mean, it’s 
Thaddeus Stevens Warren, but everybody calls 
me Tad, and everybody knows this dog is 
mine !” 

I’ve been told before that I am nobody in 
particular,” said the man. But, see here, do 
you happen to know a Hew York man by the 

name of Harcourt — Harold Harcourt ?” 

315 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


Oh yes, sir ! I should say I do !” cried 
Tad, in a new outburst of gladness. And he 
knows me — and heTl know this dog is mine. 
He knew Diogenes the very first day I ever got 


him!” 


Yes — he never forgot that extraordinary 
name,” replied the young gentleman, dryly. 

But this dog didn’t tell me a word about his 
owning such a very distinguished cognomen, 
nor did he mention the fact that all those tricks 
were, as you might say, right at the ends of his 
fingers. It strikes me as being a very fortu- 
nate circumstance, indeed, that Harcourt told 
me, three days ago, about a boy and a pup 
which he’d named Diogenes.” 

Yes, sir. I prayed for Diogenes to find 
me,” Tad confessed, his eyes once more filling, 
despite his every effort to be brave. I’ve 
been hunting for him now for over a month — 
and to-day he found me all by himself!” 

The little fellow slipped to the floor, unable 
to restrain his tremendous emotions. He buried 
his face in Diogenes’ neck, and sobbed for very 

joy. 

The man who sat there watching the two was 
silent. Every feature of Tad’s thin clothing 
appealed to him dumbly. Willing to have the 
boy and dog abandon themselves to the great, 



V 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


unspeakable happiness of this restoration, one 
to the other, he sat in his corner slightly smiling 
at the homely and wholly affecting picture 
which the two fond companions presented. 

The cab had been rolling swiftly through the 
streets, and Tad had dried his eyes and held 
his dog in silence for some little time before he 
spoke. Where he was going, what it all meant, 
he and Diogenes appeared to have no time to 
inquire. They did not care. 

Tad took the comical black face of his dog 
between his two palms, and held the busy nose 
up close to his own, while he looked intently 
and fondly into those two bright, loving eyes. 

And where have you been all these weeks 
he said. How did you come to be sold 

Diogenes tried his very best to tell. He tried 
to relate the tale of all his anguish from that 
fateful night at the circus to the present time. 
He wanted to tell how Bill had discolored, 
clipped, and abused him, and how they had 
fought once more, and Bill had again been 
worsted. His doggish eloquence would have 
bristled with adjectives could he only have im- 
parted a little of his loathing for Bill. He 
longed to say how he had watched and waited 
for his chance, how he had finally escaped and 
run away, to attach himself to a boy at last. 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 


when hopeless of finding his master, and of how 
the boy had loved him, but his father had sold 
him to a dealer — just within the week. He tried 
to tell it all, as a dog will so frequently try to 
speak, but the tongue of the dog has been tied 
throughout the centuries since man and he first 
met and became inseparable companions. 

How much or how little of his story Tad 
could gather from the panted and growled ac- 
count that Diogenes was giving will never be 
revealed. He clasped his arms about the form 
so precious to his life, and forgot absolutely 
that hardships had ever existed. 

Don’t you care to know where you’re go- 
ing asked the man, at last. “ Don’t you 
know we might be going to the jail ?” 

If it’s warm we wouldn’t care,” said Tad. 

How that I’ve found my dog I wouldn’t care 
for anything. But — what for ?” 

Oh, we’re not really going there,” corrected 
the man. How did you happen to lose your 
dog?” 

Tad sat upon the seat and held Diogenes by 
the ear while he told all about his dog and him- 
self. He made it a short, simple story, inno- 
cently frank and delightful. His boyish sin- 
cerity affected this stranger as it always affected 
his human kind who listened to his voice and 
318 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

comprehended the bright, uncomplaining little 
spirit over whom some exalted guardianship 
had apparently been kept. 

He had barely finished the tale of the theft 
of his dog when the cab was halted before the 
gate of an old-fashioned house on Kiverside 
Drive, where a faded lawn and leafless trees 
adorned a most inviting slope. 

It was the residence of Harold and Winnie 
Harcourt, and the three from the cab went in 
at the gate, and presently entered the house. 

A moment later a glad, bright cry went echo- 
ing far through the hall. 

The cry was Tad !” 

Then as sweet and impulsive a cousin as ever 
a small boy possessed came swooping down upon 
the wondering little pilgrim, and folded him 
close to her heart. 

It was Winnie — Mr. Harcourt’s wife — and 
Tad and Diogenes were home. 


I 


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l: 

i 

j 

’! 

'I XSXII 

!i 

THE LOYALTY OF FRIENDS 

HUISTGEY, cold little boy had been 
duly warmed and fed in the beauti- 
ful house by Harold and Winnie 
together, and Diogenes had been 
identified, despite his coat of dye 
and the clipping of his body, and 
both had been welcomed with genuine love — 
but two long hours had gone, and Tad was 
suddenly worried. 

His boyish fondness for both these nice 
young people had lain unspoiled in his heart 
for months, and he gave it to them honestly be- 
fore they let him know that this was now to 
be his home, and they far more than merely 
friends, or even cousins, just as soon as they 
could legally adopt him ; nevertheless, one cloud 
still remained in his boyish sky, and thoughts 
of all his selfishness were denting his smooth 
little forehead. 

Politely he told all his story once again — 
320 



V 



SUNNYSIDE TAD 


to Winnie and Harold and their friend, whose 
name was Arthur Pitt. The little fellow sat 
by Winnie’s side, and felt with ineffable glad- 
ness the sympathetic pressure of her hand that 
lay upon his own. He smiled at Mr. Har- 
court with all his old - time boyish sweetness 
and innocence, while the overjoyed Diogenes 
stood resting his nose on the tired little knee he 
loved so well. Indeed, Tad strove very hard 
to respond quite thoroughly to all this love and 
kindness before he interposed his own desires, 
but at length he could bear it no longer. 

I’d like to go down-town,” he said, in a ten- 
tative way. I could walk, with my pup, so 
it wouldn’t cost any money. I’ve got to find 
Calamity, and tell him where I am. And I 
don’t know how I can leave him, anyway. He’s 
my comrade, and we ought to be together. And 
now that we’ve got Diogenes again, I think we 
could get in a show.” 

Calamity ?” said Harold and Winnie to- 
gether. 

Yes,” said Tad. He’s the friend I’ve 
been telling you about. He’s a sandwich-man 
now, and I can’t let him walk up and down the 
street alone.” 

Winnie placed her arm quietly about the 
little fellow’s waist, and, drawing him close, 
321 


[ 


SUNNYSIDE TAD 

kissed him just as his mother had so very often 
done. 

You sha’n’t have to walk, and he sha’n’t 
have to be a sandwich-man any more,” she 
said. You shall ride all the way and bring 
him back in the carriage, and then he shall 
go to work for us and have an easier time.” 

Therefore it was that late that afternoon a 
carriage, with Tad, Diogenes, and Mr. Har- 
court inside, went bowling down the street at 
a comfortable pace. 

The few small clouds of the morning had in- 
creased in size, the wind had risen, sharp and 
savage, once more, and small but stinging par- 
ticles of snow were again flinging flercely 
through the air. 

The street was almost deserted; nevertheless 
Calamity was there, patiently plodding up and 
down his beat, his sign-boards wrenching and 
flapping in the gale as he bent his head and 
rammed his two old flsts in his pockets in an 
effort to keep them from freezing. 

The carriage halted, and out shot Tad and 
his dog. They threw themselves on old Ca- 
lamity together. 

Comrade ! Comrade !” said the almost sob- 
bing boy, ^^weVe got a home — ^we’ve got a home ! 
So give the man his signs — ^we’re going to go !” 

322 




XXXIII 


CONTENT 

HE spring had come once more upon 
the land — the spring that tries to tell 
the joy of all the world. 

At the country home of Winnie and 
Harold Harcourt the sunshine that 
streamed so brightly down upon the 
lawn found three fond companions together — 
Diogenes, Tad, and old Calamity. In his hand 
the gray old veteran held a letter. Beside him 
lay the rake with which he had just been at 
work among the shrubs. He and Tad were 
seated on a box in which some delicate rose- 
trees had recently arrived. Diogenes, restored 
to his own tawny color and beauty, sat with his 
nose across his fond young master’s knee. Erom 
the house came a blithesome sound of song, for 
Winnie was singing as the birds must sing when 
happiness fills them quite to overflowing. 

Well,” said Calamity, Hardy was kind 
and square to think of us two fellers, and offer 
323 




SUNNYSIDE TAD 


to take us along with his bran’ new show, and 
I’m glad he wrote us this letter; but — what do 
you think ?” 

I think I ought to go to school, whether I 
like it or not,” said Tad, in boyish candor. 

And I love to be here, and I couldn’t go, 
anyway, now that I’m adopted. Don’t you 
kind of prefer it here yourself ?” 

Yes,” answered Calamity, with a very mer- 
ry twinkle in his eye; I guess I’ve had about 
all the circus that’s good fer any man.” He 
added, more seriously : I never had a better 
place, nor a kinder boss, since me and Hapoleon 
was pirates.” 


THE END 




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